The Residential Tenancies Board is recommending the introduction of significant fines for people carrying out illegal evictions.
In a response to a request by the Housing Minister, the Residential Tenanancies Board has made a number of recommendations to crack down on unfair evictions.
They include giving Gardaí the power to arrest, without a warrant, anyone participating in an illegal eviction.
Sinn Fein’s Housing Spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, says the law needs to be clearer on Gardaí’s role in evictions.
"If the landlord or an estate agent is changing the locks unlawfully, the Gardai cannot intervene.
"Even where a tenant is being physically removed from a property, it's a very, very grey area.
"I've spoken to Gardai who have attended illegal convictions, and they themselves are very conflicted because the law is not helping in clarifying the situation."
