Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In respect of amendment No. 1 to Seanad amendment No. 51, landlords have said that they were selling properties and we then find out that the sale does not happen. I have come across it as, I imagine, have many other Members. We need some penalty or mechanism to deal with that because it is ridiculous that properties are re-let after people have been virtually turfed out and they give the proper notice. Very severe penalties need to be imposed. We need proof that the landlord is actually going to sell the property and if it is not sold, we need to ensure that means are found to deal with this.

I will withdraw amendment No. 2 to Seanad amendment No. 53. It is important that we do not make it very difficult for tenants who must give notice to their landlord because it is already difficult enough. Giving 28 days notice seems reasonably fair. If we start imposing longer periods based on the length of the tenancy, it would be a disaster. We need to be sensible. People have commitments and have to move. They may have various different reasons in this regard. A landlord has more flexibility when it comes to giving tenants notice. I will support Deputy Clare Daly's amendment.

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