Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before we make a final decision, I would point out that on page 2 again of the same letter, it kindly sends on information I asked about in respect of security of tenure. It was always my understanding that people had security of tenure for life, subject to complying with the tenancy agreement, and that there was no difference between being housed under a voluntary body and a local authority except that tenants could never buy the house outright. That is what I understood. Over the last few years, I have seen voluntary bodies acquire housing and it is not clear what security of tenure the tenants have. It is not clear whether they are on four, five or ten year leases. That is what I was asking. What the ICSH has done in reply is quote the legislation back to us referring to Part 4 tenancies and so on. It was very kind of it to clarify the RTB and the legislation. However, what I asked was what security of tenure is in place in those almost 30,000 units. Are they offering life tenure or five-year leases? My question applies particularly to the last few years when accommodation was acquired from NAMA and so on. It is an important question.