Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My final question on the Bill is about the last bit of Part 3, which related to the tenant in situ. We know a small number of properties have been bought by the Housing Agency and a slightly larger number of properties are in train. None of the have been acquired by approved housing bodies, which was the original idea of the scheme. In some senses it is not unlike what was said about mortgage to rent, in that the dispersed and older nature of the properties makes them a bigger challenge. This legislation removes a potential legal impediment to allowing the property to be allocated as cost rental. I know I am asking a very awkward question given that the Department representatives are in the room but this is important. If this change goes through, will it really change or reduce the level of challenge approved housing bodies currently have with acquiring those properties - albeit a small number of properties - the Housing Agency has acquired? Will this turn the dial on it or will all of the other problems still be there? I am not looking to put Mr. O'Gorman on the spot but I think we need to be straight that if there is a problem here and if this is not a fix to it, we also need to work out what is the actual fix. I am not saying we oppose this measure. The folks in those properties are delighted they will not be made homeless but they are in a kind of limbo and we need to find a way of getting them and those properties out of limbo. If this does not fix it, from the witnesses' point of view because ultimately we will be asking them to buy the properties, what else could we do so it would be an easier proposition? Mr. O'Gorman does not have to be diplomatic because the Department representatives are nice enough.