Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 388, 397 and 398 together.

The programme for Government indicates that legislation will be introduced to end upward only rent reviews for existing business leases. Following on from an initial consultation process with the Attorney General, I have forwarded outline proposals to her for further examination and development. Those proposals have been the subject of preliminary discussion by Government. The recently published legislative programme indicates the relevant legislation will be published during the current Dáil session.

It is also my intention to secure the swift enactment of the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 which is awaiting Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann. Among the Committee Stage amendments which I will propose to the Bill is a series of amendments relating to the establishment of a public database containing relevant details of letting arrangements and rent reviews in the commercial property market. It has long been acknowledged that the absence of such a database has contributed to the undoubted information deficit which exists in this area. When established, the information contained in the database will introduce a welcome degree of transparency into the workings of the commercial property market. Accurate information about rent levels is a critical element in ensuring a true market rent emerges from the rent review process and I am acutely conscious that the perceived absence of such information has led to a lack of confidence in the current rent review system.

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