Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I accept what the Minister said and she has the figures for the deposits in front of her. I am not arguing that point, but people have a major difficulty in obtaining deposits. This problem has been raised in cases I have dealt with not only on the odd occasion but regularly and especially in the case of a transfer. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a major problem for people that needs to be addressed.

We have talked about anti-social behaviour. We all want what is right. I honestly believe that if documentation is submitted, as proposed in the amendment, it would put people on guard in this respect. Deputy Morgan is right in pointing out that people do not accept the social welfare commitment in this respect. There is a question mark over landlords' tax in terms of rented accommodation. The inclusion of the proposal in this amendment would put the person concerned on guard.

If someone is registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board, that is the end of the matter. A fee is paid and there is no follow-up procedure. Community welfare officers, due to their workload which is increasing, are not in a position to determine whether the leased property is good, bad or indifferent. That does not happen. Therefore, it is up to the tenant and, in many cases, the public representative to fight and argue with those in the private rental sector to try to improve the standards for those who have to seek rented accommodation. If the proposed provision were included in the legislation, it would put down a marker. The Minister said that she would keep this under review; I urge and expect her to do so.

Rented properties should be subject to inspection to ensure they are of the standard any of us would consider suitable for occupancy by a tenant. At present that does not happen. We must put down a marker to landlords with properties in the rental accommodation sector to signal that we do not accept the standard of accommodation many of them offer and that this is a first step towards ensuring that they tick all the boxes; this will ensure there is an improvement in the standard of accommodation available.

As the Minister rightly said about the banks and lending agencies, it is time for them to cop on in this regard. The proposition put forward by Labour Party leader, Deputy Gilmore, of a two-year moratorium on mortgage repayments, if adopted, would, I hope, help many people get over the hurdle they face. I know from contacts I have that the number of cases being taken in the High Court involving banks and lending agencies seeking repossessions is comparable to the number of leaves falling off the trees in autumn. We must ensure the measure proposed is encompassed by the lending institutions as quickly as possible. Perhaps the banks will see sense and accept that proposal from the Labour Party leader, having regard to what is also happening in England. The inclusion of this amendment is necessary.

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