Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I doubt there were many in this country who were not appalled by what they saw on last week's "RTÉ Investigates: Nightmare to Let" programme. As elected representatives, I suspect we have all been confronted by substandard housing conditions in our respective constituencies. I have dealt with cases over the years where families and individuals were living in conditions that were so bad, they were a danger to physical and mental health.

This matter has an impact on those on lower incomes predominantly. A lack of housing options means they are forced to remain in these conditions. At present, the onus rests on the tenant to report inadequate or a breach in standards. This motion calls for that to change and for an NCT-type certification system for private rented accommodation to strengthen compliance further with legal standards. Only 4% of private rental properties were inspected by local authorities across the jurisdiction in 2016 and two thirds of those were not compliant with minimum standard regulations. Local authorities have failed to enforce standards adequately in the private rental sector and this motion is a chance for us to change that. It calls for greater action from central and local government to ensure tenants' rights are upheld and for the Minister with responsibility for housing to set out a plan for ensuring compliance with minimum standard regulations in the private rented sector. It also calls for the adequate resourcing of local authorities in order that they can put in place a more comprehensive inspection regime.

I reflect with some surprise that I was somewhat heartened that both Cavan and Monaghan county councils in my constituency reported high compliance rates following inspections in 2014. I hope that position maintains. That said, there are landlords with the audacity and the nerve knowingly to put people at risk in properties such as those exposed by RTÉ last week, which is shameful. Therefore, as highlighted in this motion, there is a need for a review of the penalties faced by landlords when they breach minimum standards. This important motion is an opportunity for us to change things for the better. Le bhur dtoil, tabhair bhur dtacáiocht leis an tairiscint seo.

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