Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Yesterday, representatives of the retail sector were in the House speaking to Dáil committees and political parties. They employ more than 300,000 people and one legislative measure would be of assistance to them if the Government acted on it. At present there is no provision whereby the rents they pay for leases for retail properties can be revised downwards. A landlord and tenant Bill has been promised by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform but it is in the third division of the list of Bills under preparation. Will the measure, which would enable rents to be revised downwards, be brought before the House reasonably soon? It would contribute to saving some jobs in the retail sector.

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