Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I am surprised that Question No. 70 has not been taken with this. The Department has obviously appealed the decision on the upward only rent review, or sought an independent arbitration. Does the Minister of State believe it is fair that other Departments in the Government are operating such rent reviews? The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food operates an upward only rent review at a premises in Killybegs, and this is putting businesses there under severe pressure, and possibly out of business.

In respect of the Government's commitment to legislate to end the practice of upward only rent reviews, what is the Minister of State's view on the DKM report, which has shown that a substantial loss would be borne by the State, via the banks and NAMA? Has there been any contact with NAMA officials about legislating to end this practice?

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