Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Given the immediacy of the issue and the problem in the rental sector, the stakeholders at the coalface such as those in the Peter McVerry Trust and the Simon Community, to name but two, have for the past two and a half years been calling for State intervention and an increase in rent supplement. If that is adhered to by the new Government, under pressure from many others, one has to accept that that is an interference in what is an abnormal market. It is seeking to close the gap between an auctioneer and a landlord in making a decision because of the principle that "money is king". We have to interfere in order to increase the State subvention to allow the people concerned a greater opportunity of achieving properties or to keep them in their existing properties. All I am saying is that we all have a role to play in appealing to the goodwill of those involved in paying reasonable rent as the aim is to have people on a level playing pitch.

Of course, there are exceptions in every walk of life. However, these people need to be shown equality and parity of esteem. I hope that the IPAV, ourselves and everyone else in the sector recognises that. In particular, I appeal to those involved to recognise the situation in the context of short-term increases in rent supports and what this means, rather than proving the Government or the Department right. They have denied this for the past two years by saying it would lead to an increase and exploitation by those who are in receipt of it. That is the point I am making.