Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes. We had various groups in that deal with homelessness, and I think Threshold was present then as well. I remember the tenant in situproposals we had whereby the local authority can purchase if it is a HAP or RAS tenancy or there is cost rental opportunity with the Housing Agency for someone who is slightly over that threshhold. Then there is this one, where somebody privately renting has first offer. There are important tenants' rights we try to build in. I am conscious we must balance the constitutional rights to private property that exist with the common good. All of that is in the middle of a very difficult housing situation with rental properties, affordability and sale of the house. That is what we are trying to do here, but I take on board that IPAV and the IPOA have concerns about it. However, do they not think it would assist a tenant where they get this first offer and this time to apply for a mortgage? In many cases people are paying a rent that might end up being less than the mortgage on that property as well. Do the witnesses not think it benefits tenants, in a way?