Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

It is not just a simple black and white issue, as Deputy Varadkar indicated. There are two sides to it and we have to tread carefully to ensure that we do not give a cash injection to lawyers throughout the country.

The Labour Court currently provides a system whereby employers and employees are encouraged to negotiate and bring about dispute resolution. If a similar framework was put in place for property owners who are unwilling to engage, it would certainly be a step in the right direction.

The Government''s employment subsidy scheme is very positive and there is also the enterprise stabilisation fund. However, these will be negated if we do not ensure institutional landlords negotiate and support small and medium enterprises. We have torn up the rule book when it comes to the banks, venture capitalists and big business. We need to tear up the rule book when it comes to the small retailer and small and medium enterprises throughout the country. We have to think outside the box and take action as a matter of urgency.

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