Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply but I must point out that it contains at least three major inaccuracies. I do not for a moment suggest that the Minister of State is the architect of that. However, I attended the relevant meeting and am absolutely convinced as to the entitlements of the applicant. I have no doubt that the manner in which a conclusion was reached in this case was not in accordance with due process and best practice, which is a basic requirement of all social welfare determinations. Due process and natural justice are tests which must apply in all such cases. If they do not, there is a problem and that problem still exists.

As I well know, everything is geared towards waiting until the summer break when there will be no response at all. I am sure the Minister of State is well aware of that in situations such as this. Looking for a lease at this stage is an option that is past its sell-by date. The relationship between the landlord and the tenant has broken down as a result of the absence of payments and four or five months of arrears. I have been looking at situations like this for a long time but I have never seen this kind of attitude develop before. It is necessary to have a very serious look at the manner in which these determinations are being made. I have a separate question on tomorrow's Order Paper seeking to ascertain the methodology and pattern developing in this area.

There is still time to undertake a fair assessment. At least one divisional regional manager made a serious attempt to resolve the problem but I have a funny feeling that person will be stonewalled just as I have been for the past six months.

See this speech in context