Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

I thank the Minister for his response on this important issue. While the upward-only clause has not been invoked, there are many cases in which rents are exorbitant anyway and in which there is a strong case for renegotiation.

There are also cases where tenants have substantial arrears, but that should not be a barrier to the Department entering talks with them. They might be able to examine the possibility of discharging those arrears if they can secure a realistic review of the rent. These are businesses that are at imminent risk of having to close because of the level of rents being imposed by the Department.

There is also a huge imbalance across the country. In Killybegs rents might be four or five times higher than rents in ports on the east coast. The rents do not take account of the geographical location or the market values in those areas. Could the Minister ensure that his officials urgently engage with tenants? If they could start with a clean slate, people could negotiate and perhaps arrive at arrangements that would be better for everybody.

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