Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the amendment in general. We all have experience of tenants who have not paid rent for various reasons. Some may not be happy with the maintenance work carried out by the landlord and end up saying they will not pay rent until the matter is sorted out. I hope that if the board is given more powers to intervene and perhaps move against a tenant, all of these issues will be taken into account. This is a considerable problem. Most people end up in disputes with their landlords over maintenance. I assume this will be taken into account by the board. It is sometimes very hard to get through to people when they are very upset by various issues affecting them. If the PRTB is to have the ability to recommend that a tenant be put out, it will have been given a very big role and responsibility. I hope every avenue is exhausted if this is to occur.