Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The amendment is well worth examining. We have given the tax breaks to the construction side of the rental sector. I could have understood the argument ten years ago when the construction sector was relatively depressed, but now that sector is roaring ahead. We must ask who the breaks benefit. Like Deputy McGrath, I have met many of these relatively young landlords, who have used tax incentives to get their first property and have used it to piggyback a series of further investments. In my constituency I know several young aggressive landlords who are busy trying to convert the houses they purchased into multiple separate units. The local authorities have had many problems with them and with the standard of care and maintenance they provide in many cases. Problems often exist with tenants making noise etc.

This is a new phenomenon. Many European countries have a long tradition of people investing in property and being landlords but doing so in a socially responsible manner by upholding obligations to local authorities and community residents. In Ireland, by contrast, we have had a strong tradition until recently of owner-occupation. However, given that we now have a tax-supported private rented sector which is expanding at phenomenal speed in every housing estate, there is a strong argument to redress the balance in favour of the tenant and local authority and to oblige landlords to conduct themselves in an appropriate and fair manner vis-À-vis the community in which they operate and the local authority which provides services in that area.

In many cases, the behaviour of landlords contributes heavily to the burden on the Garda Síochána in terms of tackling anti-social behaviour. In European countries such as Italy, France and Spain, where the private rented sector has a long history, one can visit a block of apartments or a housing estate and be unable to differentiate between private rented property and that occupied by the owner. Any Member of this House could visit a local authority or private estate and be able to guess with near certainty as to whether each property is occupied by the home owner or is rented. Rented properties are often notable for the uncut grass, poor appearance, shabby paintwork and dirt and litter in the front garden. As I am sure the Minister is aware, anybody who has been canvassing in Kildare could immediately tell which properties are rented.

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