Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We must equally admit that a significant portion of the rental sector is working properly. From today's debate, one would get the impression that it is completely imploding and not working.

I return to the amateur landlords, as Deputy Ó Broin has described them. In fairness to Mr. Dunne's contribution, he made the point that the commercial landlord is more tuned in, more aware and is watching for things, and is mindful if the rent not coming in. What the commercial landlord, however, does not do, that the amateur landlord does, is that it does not have the same relationship with the tenant. The RTB has said that it is critical that there is a relationship between the tenant and landlord, so that when there is a crisis with the tenant, sympathy can be expressed, or if there is an issue, they can work things out. That does not necessarily work in the commercial field but it works with the amateur or accidental landlord. I do not want it to be seen that we are critical of the accidental landlord and that we want to move wholesale to the commercial model. They have a significant role and the majority of them are doing their job and behaving correctly as landlord and towards the tenant.