We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
FIANNA FÁIL TD Barry Cowen has apologised to anyone he offended by comparing extending the eviction ban to “making sweets free for children” during a confidence motion in the Dáil yesterday.
“It is fine for a little while, but ultimately detrimental to the greater need,” Cowen had added, which led to criticism from several opposition TDs.
Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan described Cowan’s remarks as a “new low” for the government while Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin labelled the comments “disgraceful”.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, the Laois–Offaly TD said he hadn’t intended to offend anyone.
“My intention was to focus on issues, the solutions that are available,” he explained.
“I have four children myself. I love my children,” he said, before being interrupted by Claire Byrne.
“It’s not the children you’re offending, it’s the tenants,” she asserted.
Cowen added: “Let’s talk about solutions rather than spending time on the radio talking about what I said.”
Byrne responded: “No hang on, you’re not going to draw a line under it, because this is about a lack of compassion as Cian O’Callaghan the Social Democrats TD said, and a lack of understanding of the stress that people who may be about to lose their homes are going through.”
Cowan added that he had met 20 people in his constituency who were facing eviction and that the government were working to provide for people who are served Notices to Quit.
“There is a programme in place to deal with that. As late as it was coming to the table, it’s there and I would expect other TDs like Cian O’Callaghan and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and anybody else that had a problem with what I said yesterday, to ensure that the cases that have been brought to their attention get the sort of resolution that the government has put in place.”
Cowen was challenged on the nature of his apology and the fact he repeatedly said “if people were offended”.
He responded “It wasn’t my intention to offend them. Sure what more much more do you want me to say?”
Cowan was asked if his comments on free sweets for children were prepared before he spoke in the Dáil or if he thought of the analogy off the cuff, leading him to explain that he had been directing the comment at the Opposition, who he believed were being dishonest.
“Many of those in opposition would have have you believed that extending the eviction ban will wipe away and magic away existing Notices to Quit that have been issued. You can’t pass retrospective law.”
“Opposition detractors who have no time for me or never will have any time for me are only too delighted to pick up on the the analogy I used by virtue of the fact that it seeks to give the impression that I somehow had no empathy or feeling for the people I represent.”
The TD then admitted that what he had said had “left the goal open for them” to criticise him by using that analogy but asked Byrne to have Opposition TDs on her show to discuss what they had done for tenants in their communities.
Later this afternoon, Minister Heather Humphreys defended Cowan, saying that he was “a very good colleague”.
“To be fair to Barry, he was on the radio this morning and he clarified that issue and can I just say Barry’s a hard worker, an absolutely committed public representative who is very aware and very conscious of the issues in his own constituency of Laois-Offaly and he’s a very good colleague.”
“I know Barry very well. And I wouldn’t like to think that what he said had been taken out of context, but as I said, he explained it this morning on the radio,” she stated.
With additional reporting by Tadgh McNally
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
M O R O N
@AnthonyK: He tries to come across as a very intelligent, cool under pressure so of fellow. A very high opinion of himself also.
All I see is a weakling in a cheap suit.
@AnthonyK:
Yep
- BIFFO MK II with go faster stripes
@David Corrigan: Ah , I had a good opinion of him after he was first elected . I did think that he was bright and was a fella that had interest and could get things done . When that episode erupted after he was given the Agri. Ministry I began to realize that he was a Mug . Since then he has gone down even further in my opinion . Yes , I think that he has a very high opinion of himself, and at this stage he cannot justify it .
I am not a fan of Mr Cowen myself but what is not being discussed at all in this eviction situation is some tenants taking the proverbial just because they can. I was an accidental landlord and sold my house after the first eviction ban as the tenants that were in the house did not pay one euro in rent or other bills from the minute they moved in, they moved out the night before the ban was over….. after making a deal that if i gave them furniture they would leave. No stories like this are headlining.
@Dramafree 2023: There needs to be a fair balance for tenants and landlords, these stories should be brought up but not all landlords are victims just like al tenants are not, you see horror stories from the other side as well, was there not a story on here about 700 for a bed in a shared room.
@Dramafree 2023: So if what you are saying is true, you let them move in without paying even one euro of a deposit or months rent up front? That doesn’t sound at all believable and undermines the credibility of anything else you have to say.
@Kevin Collins: where did I say that? I said from the day the eviction ban came in they did not pay one euro in rent. Yes they did pay their deposit. the whole thing was throu a letting agency, above board, signed contracts etc but nothing worked once the ban came in and the PTRB said we can chase them for the rent but unlikely to get anything from them. in the end we sold the house. I am unsure why you have decided that I have made up the story and for what reason I would make it up but thats really not my problem! It happened, I dont need you to validate it, I am not the only one it happened to and it is something that needs to be considered for a balanced argument.
@marklars81: they are different conversations, the eviction ban and the 700 for a room. However where they intertwine is the supply and demand, in dwindling supply stopping evictions for reasonable reasons, further reduces the supply and drives up the prices. Similar to your argument not all landlords are victims. Not all tenants are being evicted tomorrow. Eviction ban is the equivalent of putting a sticky plaster on a leaking mains…the water will flow regardless.
@Kevin Collins: I see where you got that I didnt get a deposit, it is in fact a typo, from the minute the ban came in not they moved in.
@Dramafree 2023: ah OK, thanks for clarifying. Sorry to hear about what happened, unfortunately some people will always try to take advantage of situations.
@Dramafree 2023: Ah yes, ‘supply and demand’. Another term for price gouging!
@Dramafree 2023: that might be because the eviction ban is for no-fault evictions. Yours was not no-fault. I’m sorry you had such a horrible experience.
@Kevin Collins: it’s not believable because it’s not true.
@Dramafree 2023: Totally agree,two sides to every story,but if only one suits ,shur we’ll go with that…
@Dramafree 2023: pinocchio
Why does he bring the opposition in to it twice. Can they not see they are fooling nobody? I’m suprised there wasn’t some mention of something SF had done up North.
@marklars81: sorry I’m not sorry. This guy is completely toxic.
The arrogance and ignorance of Cowen is on par with FFG politicians. Cowen like Martin conveniently forgets it was his party that facilated in the economic destruction of this country. Yet for their political survival they had to go cap in hand to FG who lost the election to form a government. Ironically they blame the opposition for the housing crisis and all other problems faced by the government. Between FFG they have governed this state since it’s foundation. This is where they have led us. Yet they tell us it’s not their fault..Sweet Jesus what a nation of fools we are .
@Donal Desmond: “FG who lost the election” ?? If so, who won the election… prime minister Mary Lou McDonald?? Yis should have spent yer time studying proportional representation instead of learning the Macarena victory dance.
@Donal Desmond: Which party won the election,be waiting to hear this.
@Andrew Dillon: Yes FG lost the election. In order for them to go into government they would have to enter coalition. FF became the biggest party in the 26 counties by one uncontested seat, followed by SF.. .FG lost 12 seats .I am well aware of PR. , FFG stated before the election they would not enter government with SF. Mu point was that FFG entered government together, not for the benefit of the citizens of this country, but to preserve the status quo that has existed between them since the foundation of this state.
@Donal Desmond: “FG who lost the election”… who won the election?
@Andrew Dillon: FG came in this with less seats than before the election. From Ist to 3rd is a loss . Coalition is a different matter. Not forgetting also lost seats .
What kind of a reaction was he hoping to get for such a statement?
@George Vladisavljevic: When you look back on his “career” (or whatever he calls it), he has achieved nothing. Being controversial is the only thing he can do. It would suit him better if he did the job he was elected to do.
@David Corrigan: Exactly, and it would serve his party better to actually improve the lack of housing by housing real people before making the current situation the worst possible. Not many homeless people care whether he cares or not – they care what FF does to help, they can vote and they won’t be ticking any Fianna Fail boxes under the strain of homelessness.
Dail hard man, he couldn’t give a flying Flock he has his big pensions in the bag, homeless people don’t count in his business plan.
Not to mention that if his FF party actually housed people effectively for a change, no one would question his salary, competence or humanity.
Odious little turd
Pure spin this,deflect from main issues is the objective
Not extending the eviction ban and the arrogance associated with have handed the election to SF – varadkar will probably lose his seat but sure he’ll have a nice sinecure in Brussels to go to – Martin will probably retire before rump FF go into govt with SF – the country is in for a rough decade ahead
Fool
He should have steered clear of the alcopops
Once a bully always a bully.
Cowen made an ignorant statement and is now attempting to deflect and gaslight us about what he said by bringing the opposition parties into the argument.
The FF/FG axis have been running the country for 100 years without interruption. All responsibility is theirs alone .
Hasn’t it just come to light that Barry Cowen has failed to declare rental income on 32 acres of land that he owns and is letting for the last 10 years! He should resign immediately. Landlords looking after landlords!!
He’s a you-know-what, but it’s right that the eviction ban is being ended. It’s not the responsibility of landlords to provide social housing, and it’s not the right of the state to co-opt private property for public use without compensation.
@Steven Schulz: So because of ‘it’s the right thing to do’ means putting people of all ages who’ve been fully compliant with their rental agreement on the streets and let’s be clear; on the streets, that’s ok in your view. May the sun always shine on your life.
That sleeven is a perfect example of the disconnect between FF and Reality …
Let’s forget about the next election and pretend that SF are running the country. I’m looking for free rent, no medical costs, my rubbish collected every week for nothing, very cheap energy with marginal electrify and fuel bills. Utopia is coming!
I’m ashamed to come from the same county as this muppet
Very reminiscent of Arlene Fosters “ don’t feed the crocodiles” comment, and we all know how she feels about Republicans. For a government TD to make such a similar comment about the Irish electorate only shows how they really feel about the ordinary people of the country.
To think he made that stupid comment and didn’t realise what he said was degrading people is amazing ,he’s in the wrong job ,and this is his second chance at milking us
Fffg out
Let them eat cake instead!! Eh Barry!!
Look it’s what it is ……a childish comparison
have your say