John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are talking about a four-year extension; we are not talking about a two-year extension. It is a significant period of time. It is said to be intended to provide greater flexibility in agreeing leases for potential accommodation providers, many of whom have been seeking longer leases in order to justify undertaking necessary upgrading and refurbishment works on the premises in order to meet the accommodation needs of international protection applications. I would argue that this applies to a small number of the structures included in SI 605, not the wide range that is encompassed here. I fully appreciate the rationale and I can understand why a potential provider who needs to undertake significant works would want a longer lease. That makes sense to me and it makes sense that it would be extended out for that period. However, that rational does not apply to all of the structures that are included and set down here. That is the point I am making.