Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It seems to me that the person who was responsible for the Kells scheme dropping off the list did not really understand the urgency of the housing crisis we are facing. I suggest that the need for a housing scheme in Kells and for other housing schemes throughout the country did not seem sufficiently urgent to him or her. Can the Minister tell us when exactly the local authority houses that are to be purchased in County Meath, according to the tender I have mentioned, will come on stream? How many houses are involved? No figure has been given. It is an extremely general tender. I wonder what the purpose of it is.

The current version of amendment No. 55, as set out on page 2 of the most recent document with which we have been furnished, provides for a rent increase to be permissible if a "substantial change in the nature of the accommodation provided under the tenancy occurs". Perhaps the Minister will come back and talk about that because it seems extremely vague. It is not in line with my understanding of what was agreed between the parties as being acceptable. Will the Minister outline what he proposes to do in this regard? It does not seem acceptable that such a provision could be included in the Bill. There are many ways of making a "substantial change". Who is to say that painting a property does not constitute a "substantial change"? The legislation does not clarify what is involved. The Minister might scoff-----

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