Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Some of them are not disposed to taking on board anything that is of a voluntary nature. The tenants are not the problem; the people running the boards are the problem. I have come across situations where houses could not be insured. It would be a serious matter if we were to lose houses from the housing stock that could not be replaced because of this measure. The softly, softly approach may not work in this case and I ask the Minister of State to give a commitment that if it does not, there is the prospect of tabling an amendment that will be framed in the interests of protecting tenants' rights and making sure the housing stock is protected.

The point Deputy Dessie Ellis made on which the Minister of State replied is an issue. This year, for example, a large housing association such as the Iveagh Trust had to pay property tax and it will now have to pay this fee. Trying to function in an environment where one is operating a differential rent system and giving long-term security of tenure might be a challenge because of the extra obligations imposed. An issue could arise from that point of view.