Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the amendments and thank the Minister and his staff for providing a great deal of detail in the various amendments. Amendment No. 11 in my name is virtually the same as amendment No. 5 in the Minister's name. I will not push my amendment. In any event, I do not think any of us will want to push our own amendments because we want there to be a solution. I pay tribute to the Union of Students in Ireland and the various student bodies, particularly that of Dublin City University, which travelled to the gates of Leinster House and raised the issue with us, following which much work has been done. Students find it hard enough to manage and live, without being subjected to excessive rents, and the amendment will certainly ease the burden for them.

On the timing, I agree with Deputy Darragh O'Brien that the sooner we pass the Bill, the better, particularly as the new term will start in September or October. In that regard, I am sure the students' unions will spread the message. It is important that nobody signs up in advance to something above what is allowed given that people's rights will be protected when the legislation is enacted. That probably cannot happen but the Minister might provide clarity in order to ensure that people do not end being covered by the legislation. We cannot control the timing of the Bill because it must be progressed through the Upper House. However, insofar as is possible, we will all co-operate to ensure that this measure and the others are in place to protect people, in this case students, as soon as possible.