Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, as Minister, take responsibility for it and I am correcting it. We have recommitted the Bill in order to debate the matter. I am answering the Deputies' questions. We are going to fix it, return to Report Stage and try to get the job done. I am happy to hear what people have to say and to answer their questions. In response to the very genuine question regarding if we take out the formulation "x t/12" - in other words, the annual requirement linked to the 4% - how will we ensure that landlords do not have rent reviews more often than every 12 months, I am in a position to state that this is catered for.

In my amendment No. 68, there is a reference in this regard. The amendment states:

Application of section 20 (frequency with which rent reviews may occur) to rent pressure zones

24C.(1) Where a tenancy commenced before the relevant date (within the meaning of section 19(7)) and the area in which the tenancy is situated is in a rent pressure zone (within the meaning of that section), then—(a) the first rent review after the relevant date shall be carried out in accordance with section 20,

Section 20 is what the previous Minister, Deputy Kelly, introduced, namely, the 24-month rent freezes aimed at trying to bring some certainty to tenants. Amendment No. 68 continues:

(b) any subsequent rent review shall be carried out as if subsections (4) to (6) of section 20 had not been enacted.

In other words, it reverts to not more than an annual rent review. That has been in place since 2004.

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