Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and acknowledge that he agrees with many Deputies on this side on the urgent need to introduce short-term measures to address the terrible inflation being inflicted on those who find themselves in the awful predicament of renting accommodation. I also welcome his commitment to consider the possibility of amending legislation to ensure security of tenure for tenants and place before the House legislation which will give effect to new means and mechanisms for setting and renewing rents along the lines of rent certainty and control.

I also acknowledge the commitment given by the Minister to introduce amendments on Committee Stage of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 consistent with the rental strategy which he will announce in the weeks ahead. This reflects the calls made on this side for urgent action to be taken on this issue. Amendments should not be taken lightly because they interfere with the market but market intervention is unfortunately necessary because market conditions are abnormal. Changes can be reviewed after a period to ensure they achieve the desired outcomes. I ask the Minister to bear in mind that regardless of how abnormal his amendments may seem, the market is also abnormal and the changes the House introduces can be reviewed after a period.

See this speech in context