Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill and to deal with some of the issues raised. I thank Deputy Jan O'Sullivan for bringing forward the Bill. While we might not agree with everything in it, I hope we can do much of the work she is seeking to have done in our Bill or in conjunction with bringing Deputy O'Sullivan’s Bill through Committee Stage, whichever way it works out. I believe we have the same agenda on some points, although not all. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, went through some of the points we would not necessarily agree with. We will continue to discuss and debate them and research them behind the scenes.

This Bill brings an important focus to the discussion again. We have had numerous debates in recent years on this whole area. We set out the rental strategy with legislation in December 2016. The legislation went through and there were some positive changes. Again, it was all about trying to get balance in that market but we still have not seen it - I am keen to acknowledge that.

Rent prices in many cases are far too high or excessive. I agree with Deputy Michael Healy-Rae that it is about getting the balance and scale right. I believe Deputy O'Sullivan recognises that as well. The correct balance is not there at the moment and we must do what we can to try to intervene where it works and where intervention has proven to work. We must be careful that we do not affect supply as well. It is a matter of getting the balance right and we are trying to do that. In particular, are trying to give tenants more protection as we go along. That is the aim of most people in this House and it is what I have heard in most of the debates I have listened to as well.

Again, I wish to deal with some of the issues raised because they are not all to do with the rental market or protecting tenants. A range of issues were raised tonight in this debate and I wish to deal with some of them.

If it is okay, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to tackle Deputy Mick Barry and what he said. I do not think it is right that the Deputy can come into the Chamber and accuse the Minister of fiddling the figures. I am surprised that was allowed to be said in the House. I did not jump in at the time because I did not want to have a row with him, but I think he should be asked to correct the record. I do not think anyone is allowed to come to the Chamber and accuse someone of interfering, fiddling figures and lies. That is not on.

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