Ms Bairbre Nic Aongusa:

As several people have said, if the local electoral area of Louth or Greystones meets the criteria after the next set of quarterly data is reviewed, the process will be followed. If they meet both criteria, which is the 7% and being above the national average, they will be designated because the process works. There is no discretion here. It is the facts and analysis that give rise to the decision. The measure will be reviewed in June and we will look at the suitability of the criteria, the designation and the process. In the meantime, we will have two more sets of quarterly data to look at and the matter will be kept under review. It is worth bearing in mind that daft.iehas information on the rents for about 4,000 properties whereas the RTB reports on 30,000 tenancies per quarter. It should be noted that daft.iegets a lot of attention in the media but it is not as representative as the RTB.

It is worth bearing in mind that this is a very welcome measure. A total of 178,000 tenants are living in rent pressure zones. This is 55% of tenancies nationally. I understand Deputy O'Dowd's frustration because some of his constituents are suffering. A huge number of tenants - 178,000 - can now have certainty about what level of rent they will pay.