Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The interaction from the witnesses and the members has been very helpful. I am worried that the perception going out from this is that in some way we are trying to restrict landlords from selling their properties. I sense this is what is being picked up. Some of the witnesses are from a representative body for the sellers and landlords. This may be perceived by landlords of properties. In the departmental briefing I asked for a very clear guidance document on what is being proposed, what are the steps and how it might impact positively or negatively. This would be very helpful. There was interaction between Senator Cummins and Mr. Deverell about the 90 days and whether someone can come back with a second offer. We will get clarity on this and come back to the witnesses. Often something occurs to people after they have left the room, such as a question they wished they had asked. In such a case I ask the witnesses to write to us. We had a briefing with the Department and we have briefing documents. We will have a public session with the Department on Thursday and we can get questions and clarity on the record.

My reading of this is that it will not restrict. It is often the case that somebody who wants to buy something will ask to be allowed first offer. It develops a relationship between two people. It is not in any way restrictive or binding but it develops a relationship. It gives an opportunity for a tenant who may face a notice to quit or eviction. Even though we have introduced the rule on the number of days, it is still a very challenging time and very stressful. This legislation will develop a relationship between a person and their landlord that they can pursue with the benefit of Threshold and the other schemes we have introduced. This is what we are trying to do.

This is not a silver bullet to solve rental issues for landlords or tenants or to solve affordability. It is another small piece that when we add them all together, and Deputy McAuliffe listed them, I honestly think we see that tenants' rights have been improved. I will not speak about the cost of rent because that is a whole other area. Tenants' rights have possibly been improved more in the past three years than over a long time before that. When we spoke about the tenantin situscheme with Threshold it was of this view. These are my comments and clarity on my thoughts.

I want to speak to Threshold about the other options that we have introduced. The local authority option to buy was being done by Dublin City Council prior to the introduction of the tenant in situscheme but all local authorities can do it now. There is also cost rental with the Housing Agency. Will Threshold inform the committee about how it believes these processes are going at present? Are there other changes we need to make? We will admit there are concerns about the general scheme of the Bill but I ask about these two particular issues.