Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The point about rent control is very interesting. If we were to move to the continental model whereby so many people live indefinitely in rented accommodation, we could only make that move if we had a situation in which there was some form of effective rent control. I wonder if the Minister of State has had any engagement with the Minister for Finance on that particular matter because I can imagine he would be more than a little agitated by virtue of any proposal coming forward to effect rent control because of the inevitable consequences this would have in the buy-to-let market which is experiencing significant problems at present. However, it is an issue that needs to be considered.

The principle set out in Deputy Murphy's amendment is very valid and I support it. Perhaps it is a little prescriptive in setting out three months as a period of time. I refer to the Minister of State's actions in including the 18 month period in the Bill but also her actions in recent times in addressing the inordinate problems within the Dublin local authority areas. Unfortunately, the problems with the caps are spreading out into County Kildare and many areas around Dublin. This issue of review is a pertinent one. When one further considers that the consequences of not having a review for the people who are affected currently is homelessness or the threat of homelessness, then manifestly there is a need to have a greater degree of flexibility, as set out by Deputy Murphy, than what is envisaged in the Minister of State's legislation. For that reason, I appeal to the Minister of State to look at the principles involved and to see what can be done.

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