Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I take the Tánaiste's response as a "no" to the one action I asked her about. Any struggling renter watching this debate can only conclude that she is so out of touch with the pressures that people are facing that she just does not understand. The Tánaiste made reference to 30,000 private sector houses. If that is achieved, the houses will not be tenanted for another two years. She spoke of 300 rapid builds but she must check her notes because there are only 36 rapid builds under construction currently in this city, and the remainder will not start until next year. She also said that the Government would increase the budget, but all it has done is reverse the cuts, which the Tánaiste herself voted for since taking office in 2011. Next week the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Coveney's Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill will be in the Seanad. He could table a rent certainty amendment that would put a halt to spiralling rents. If he does not, one can be damn sure Sinn Féin will table an amendment. Given Deputy Micheál Martin's crocodile tears for struggling renters yesterday, I am sure he will be happy to support our amendment. I will ask the Tánaiste the question again and maybe this time she will stop avoiding it. Will her Government introduce the necessary legislation to give struggling renters a break or will she, for the third time this year, give two fingers to those struggling families and oppose rent certainty?

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