Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Casey and the Ceann Comhairle. It goes without question that Fianna Fáil supports rent certainty.

We have put that fact on record on several occasions. The problem with this Bill, as we have told those in Sinn Féin time and again, is that it is too simplistic and only addresses one aspect of the problem. In fact, there are many aspects to this problem. We need to adopt a holistic approach to this matter from the point of view of the concept of supply and rent certainty, as well as all the regional imbalances that are reflected in the current crisis.

Unlike Sinn Féin, we are seeking real solutions to this problem rather than simply headlines in newspapers. This Bill proves my point. Let us consider the timing of its introduction, what is coming down the line in several weeks' time and our amendment. The timing of the Bill's introduction shows the true nature of what those in Sinn Féin are attempting to do. It shows the true nature of what Sinn Féin intends to achieve, namely, political gain for the party without a care for anyone else.

We must be cognisant of the potential constitutional law issues. We are legislators and we must be aware of the impact of any legislation we pass. I fail to see how those in Sinn Féin has considered this. We must also examine the position of landlords in all of this. They are not all big vultures or corporate entities. Some of them are accidental landlords. Some are ordinary people who find themselves in the position of being landlords. They need to be considered.

Clearly, we have a massive housing crisis and there is a problem with rent, especially in our capital city. However, supply is a major aspect of the problem. The rental market is being driven by the lack of supply. It is clear that we have an imbalance in regional development, a lack of investment in rural Ireland, poor investment in the regions and overheating of the rental market. There has been mass migration of people from all parts of the country to Dublin. That is why there is overheating in the rental market in our capital city. This is the reason people cannot access housing and it is why they are living in cramped conditions, with rents soaring on a constant basis.

What I have outlined indicates why rent certainty is only one aspect of this matter; it is only one part of the problem. We need to ascertain the right model for rent certainty and regulation. We cannot simply fix one problem only to create a host of new ones. I am of the opinion that the latter is what the Bill would do. This Bill represents a ham-fisted approach and it is ill-thought out.

Fianna Fáil is doing what it has always tried to do. We are using our political weight and our numbers in opposition to achieve real reform. We are looking to help those who are in crisis with their rent and the families and citizens affected by rental problems. Deputy Cowen has made it clear that we need to see action and results. The Minister has overseen numerous announcements and launches of various reports, policies and actions he proposes to take. However, we are not seeing the effects of these on the ground. Meanwhile, rents continue to increase. It has been pointed out to the Minister and his Department that we are facilitating his and the Government's work in this regard. However, if we do not see action and results soon, we will have no option but to take an alternative approach.

I reiterate our lack of support for the Bill on the basis that it is ill-thought out and it does not address all the problems. Our party believes that it will create problems rather than fix them.

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