The Dáil has heard that the number of children in emergency accommodation is at its highest level since records began.
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on housing Eoin Ó Brion said that "this Christmas morning, more than 4,000 children will wake up in emergency accommodation".
"They won't be waking up in a home of their own," he said, as the deputy tabled a Private Members' Motion calling on the Government to declare a housing emergency and impose a ban on evictions.
"This isn't a force of nature," Deputy Ó Broin said, and blamed Government policy for the crisis.
He told the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien that this bill "is an exact replica - with some minor changes - of legislation you yourself introduced last year".
"If you were serious, you would not only allow this to go through this evening," Deputy Ó Broin said.
Minister O'Brien responded that the rental sector is not working as it should. He said that Government wants to introduce "calibrated" measures and not make the situation worse.
He said an eviction ban would lead to a flight of private landlords.
The Minister added that his priority is those people who have no homes.
"We've got to ensure that when people do enter emergency accommodation, they are there for the shortest time possible," he said.
Over 1,300 people have completed the Tenant in Situ Scheme, with 1,260 at "various stages of sale approved", and "a further thousand" availing of the scheme into next year, he added.
He said that over 26,5000 new homes had commenced up to October, up "about 16%" on last year, and predicted that the Government will "substantially" exceed its housing target this year.
But Minister O'Brien acknowledged that there are many who are not feeling the progress which he said is underway.
Labour will be supporting the bill, its spokesperson on housing Aodhán Ó Riordáin said.
He dismissed a Government amendment as allowing TDs "to play Mighty Mouse down in the constituency, and Mickey Mouse up in Dublin".
Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O'Callaghan rejected the minister's claim that landlords would flee the market if an evictions ban was reinstated.
