Victor Boyhan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the interim director and the two deputy directors from the RTB. I thank Mr. Keegan for the very comprehensive statement he has taken us through and for his commentary on some of the issues. I note his commentary on the role and remit of the RTB, on the RTB data, which made up a large segment of his presentation, on the registration process and concerns about the IT systems, on the difference between RTB data and CSO data, which he has commented on, and on the implementation of the rent pressure zones. Enforcement is an ongoing challenge. Clearly, if there are more problems, there are going to be more issues.

I will ask three specific questions. They arise on foot of Mr. Keegan's statement. Will the witnesses confirm whether the RTB is satisfied with the powers it has to sanction and prosecute rogue landlords? I may ask the three questions before they answer. There are many rogue landlords. The word "rogue" is very vague but the witnesses will know what I mean.

What plans does the RTB have in train to reduce processing times? A number of my colleagues have talked about this. What is the plan? I am more interested in hearing about the trajectory and the RTB's plan to reduce the time it takes to process dispute resolution cases because that is ultimately where we want to go. I presume the RTB has a plan. The witnesses might share that plan with us.

Will the witnesses share with the committee in more detail than it has already has any plans the RTB has in respect of strategic research and data analysis? That is mentioned in the presentation. The RTB has a remit to carry out strategic research. On the data analysis, the more you drill into the data and analyse it, the more information comes up. Those are my three questions. The witnesses might touch on them if they can.