Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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I welcome the members of the Housing Commission and I thank them for their work, much of which I agree with but some of which I do not. I know there was not total agreement among all the members of the commission; that is the world we live in.

My first question is for Ms King. I read with interest the recommendations regarding what should happen with private rented accommodation. Does she think these measures will work? Will they be inflationary? Page 16 of the report states: "Regulate market rents fairly and effectively by reforming the current system of rent regulation and establishing a system of ‘Reference Rents’." I ask Ms King to explain what is meant by that. I am very much open to that idea, which might better reflect what the rent should be in a particular area for a particular type of house, more so than just 2% or 0% depending on the site you are on.

There is one thing that a report like this will not deal with but it is widespread. How do we halt rent top-ups that do not figure in rent reports or do not figure on the books anywhere?