Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for arriving late but bilocation has always been a problem for me. I welcome the Bill, as it deals with certain issues that must be tackled. I have spoken to the Minister of State about these on many occasions, as well as her predecessor as Minister of State, Deputy Willie Penrose.

The first matter is the termination of local authority tenancies where tenants have been extremely difficult. I support this provision, albeit reluctantly, as I do not like the idea of anybody being thrown out of a house. Nevertheless, I have witnessed the hell which neighbours of really difficult tenants have gone through. Night after night they are unable to sleep and they can be threatened and subject to all kinds of abuse. Termination of a tenancy should be and is a last resort but it is important that the option is there for the good of the neighbours, who may be decent tenants or home owners. It is important that we have such a provision, although I know it has had to be revisited because of the difficulties which certain county councils - including the council where I live - have had.

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