Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take amendments Nos. 15 and 16 together.

I understand the intentions of the Deputies with regard to the two amendments are to ensure that all landlords now legally obliged to register their tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board will be required to demonstrate that they fulfil their obligations or will otherwise not be granted any deduction in determining the taxable amounts of their rental income.

The legislation currently included in section 11 of this Finance Bill addresses this issue as far as the key tax relief involved is concerned. This entire area was the subject of some discussion on Committee Stage of last year's Finance Bill, when I undertook to consider the issue further. It was also covered by speakers at the time of the passing of the Private Residential Tenancies Act 2004 when there was comment on the desirability of establishing a linkage between the legislation as proposed and the reliefs granted in tax legislation. Section 11 of the Finance Bill provides that unless a landlord meets his or her registration obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act in respect tenancy, then the interest deduction——

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