Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a very significant difference. It would be far easier to bring reluctant owners into the market if there were an incentive as opposed to a penalty. While I appreciate what Ms Murphy is saying, I believe the biggest problem now is that some landlords do not want to take the housing assistance payment. If they do, the tenant is restricted to a maximum lease period of two years. On the point of sale, or alleged sale, the tenant is put out. A formula should be developed that would encourage the establishment of a longer period — such as five years, which would be reasonable — with a fixed income for the landlord and fixed tenure for the tenant. This should be encouraged. In one sense, Ms Murphy is talking about a use-it-or-lose-it tax in respect of those who are waiting for the market price to increase. We need to offer incentives also. Incentives will work. If I had a house to let and my incentive involved a five-year deal in which I knew what I was going to get, namely an arrangement with the local authority guaranteeing the structure and condition of the house, I genuinely believe it would work.