Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I cannot accept these amendments, as a blanket provision permitting a local authority tenant to have an authorised delegate in all dealings with the local authority would hinder and delay the normal process of landlord-tenant communications that tenants are generally well able to handle themselves. It should be noted that housing authorities engage with third parties speaking on behalf of tenants who need assistance in this regard, but extending this practice across the board would formalise tenants' dealings with housing authorities unduly and depersonalise communications between them to the detriment of the landlord-tenant relationship.

As explained on Committee Stage, housing authorities need to have good communications with their tenants. In cases where tenants clearly need support in their dealings with their landlords, the housing authorities intensify their efforts to communicate effectively with them and persons speaking on their behalf. It is my understanding that this represents current good practice.

I will consider whether it may be necessary to issue guidance to housing authorities in this regard, but I will not accept the amendment now.