Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not the case that the guidelines failed to protect the residents in this instance. The fact of the matter is that an independent body, the RTB, found that substantial refurbishment was required and the measure was properly invoked in terms of the notice to quit the apartments themselves. In November last year, the board published detailed guidelines as to what "substantial refurbishment" means. It remains a requirement whereby landlords can serve a notice to quit if they want to make a substantial refurbishment necessary for their property. That said, we have recognised that some people have tried to use this as an excuse to evict tenants on spurious grounds, not regardless of being appropriate. As a result of that, I will bring forward a second rent protection Bill this year with measures relating to substantial refurbishment to protect tenants who are being abused in such instances.

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