Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for bringing the Bill to the House. The Bill has many aspects which are very welcome. Since the foundation of the State we have had a love affair with owning our own property and home. Perhaps it came from colonialism. It certainly had a very positive effect, but in recent years it has had a very negative effect. We were not very familiar with renting, but since the downturn and the property crash, many people are very disappointed that they wanted to own their own home. Many are in negative equity. The Bill is very welcome because given the downturn in the property market, many people will aspire to lease. Over the years people have been very concerned, especially those with children, that they could be thrown out of their house and everyone has heard horror stories about landlords. Much has been done in the past 20 or 30 years to give tenant rights. The Bill is the result of much consultation. We are trying to get the balance right between landlords and tenants. Many years ago the landlord had total power and could almost walk into a flat and tell a tenant to leave, but things have changed.

When I look at websites such as www.daft.ie and www.myhome.ie, I see many landlords do not want tenants with rent supplement. I am concerned this will disenfranchise people and those on rent supplement will be discriminated against. I am sure the Minister of State will have something to say about this. I was a landlord and I would like to think I was quite good one. There were times when I showed much leniency and other times when I got taken for granted, but nothing happened that was a serious offence.

While the third parties may take their 10%, they provide a valuable service for those who might not be professional or full-time letting agents. They hold the deposit on a professional basis and they act as a good go-between for the tenant and landlord.

I have one or two issues. As we all have mobile telephones or cameras, when somebody moves into an apartment, it is a good ideas to take photographs of everything - the kitchen, the carpets, the sofas, etc. This provides a permanent record that can work between the tenant and the landlord to ensure there is no dispute where, for instance, something is missing or damaged. When somebody rents an apartment or house for two or three years, there will be wear and tear that should be taken into consideration, but wear and tear as a result of a party is not the wear and tear on which they agreed.

I would welcome the deposit protection scheme. I note there are many other issues that need to be dealt with regarding the provisions that would come under emergency accommodation and licensees in properties not let as self-contained residential units. It is wise to seek further consultation on these. Effectively, they would involve amendments on Committee Stage.

As I stated, much has been done. There are those on both sides who will abuse the law and the Bill clarifies difficulties. We have come a long way. I have noted, especially in Dublin and perhaps throughout the country, that there are many people coming to live in this country, from Russia, Poland or wherever, who might not be familiar with the customs of the Irish or might be taken advantage of, or the reverse. The Bill brings into consideration the many issues at stake and regularises many matters. I thank the Minister of State for that.

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