Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When I raised the long-promised proposal to introduce a deposit protection scheme recently, the Taoiseach very kindly got the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coffey, to reply to me and to say the legislation would be back here within weeks and the intention was to have it passed before the summer. I was surprised to hear media reports this morning to the effect that the Government was going to introduce legislation to allow landlords withhold outstanding water charges from a deposit. Is there a change in that plan or does the Government still intend to introduce the deposit protection scheme?

A second matter relating to that legislation is the need for some kind of controls on rents. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has spoken about the need for rent certainty. Others would say there is an absolutely urgent need for rent controls. Is it intended to provide for such rent controls in that upcoming Bill, which is due back from the Seanad very shortly?

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