Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the witnesses for their submissions. I offer my apologies since I am one of a number of Deputies who have to leave for a meeting of the Joint Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services at 11.30 a.m.

The witnesses know the position of many of us on rent pressure zones. I am not going to rehearse that argument but I have specific questions for all three bodies represented. I am concerned that the second phase of inclusions into rent pressure zones has left many areas out. It does not include anywhere in Waterford or a significant amount of the commuter belt in Meath, Louth etc. I have three specific questions.

I would like witnesses to explain to us the rationale behind the criteria, both the requirement for the rent in the designated area to be above the Statewide average and the logic of the 7% increase in four of the previous six quarters. Where did this come from? Why was this chosen? Many of us worry that it is going to be quite exclusive.

The other issue is that the areas can only be designated according to legislation for local electoral areas, LEAs, or county council areas. This is a particular problem in Waterford, for example, whereas if one went down to district electoral divisions, DEDs, or small area statistics - for which we should have the data - there could be a much more refined system. Why were DEDs or small areas not included? Is there consideration of those? None of that should be taken as me supporting the policy but if the witnesses really looked at those criteria and areas of application, more people could be included in this, albeit a very weak measure.