Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. We all meet people in our clinics with genuine concerns and the most vulnerable people we see are those affected by the issues raised here tonight. It is important that we respond in the most genuine fashion in trying to ensure we protect the most vulnerable. We all know that rents are unaffordable, that we need a sustainable rental market and that people want to own their own homes. We are also aware that there has been a major response to the problems in the housing and rental sector. One amendment, however, amounting to fewer than 100 words, will not fix our rental market. This is a simplistic, opportunistic headline to legislate by soundbite. There is supporting evidence attached to this legislation. I do not see any response from the Office of the Parliamentary Legal Advisers, which is a service that Deputies can use to back up their proposed legislation with evidence.

Major actors in the rental sector, such as the ESRI, Threshold and the RTB, have highlighted rent arrears as a major issue. The Government responded to those concerns with a real solution by bringing forward the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020, which recognised, in a targeted manner, the need to protect the most vulnerable in our society. A ban was placed on the eviction of tenants with rent arrears because of the impact of Covid-19 to ensure they could remain in their tenancies until 10 January 2021, along with a freeze on rent increases.

Sinn Féin has put forward this simplistic Bill, with zero evidence, which will provide no solution to the issues outlined. The Government has taken action. We have 53 rent pressure zones, covering 75% of tenancies. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 made it a criminal offence for landlords to contravene the law regarding rent increases. We have increased the associated penalties up to €30,000 and there are 188 ongoing investigations. These are real solutions. I encourage all politicians, in every party and none, to work with the Government to provide genuine solutions, backed up with evidence, that will work.

I also strongly believe that this proposed legislation would have unintended consequences regarding housing supply. The legislation is unworkable, and that has been proved. My major concern, however, arises from Sinn Féin being the major Opposition party in our Republic. In the North, a proposed rent increase of 2.7%, supported by Sinn Féin, comes into effect in 13 days' time, which is at variance with what is being done in this Republic. What is proposed in the North, is opposed in the South. Conor Murphy constantly takes the credit for rates waivers and business supports, supports which I think were delayed. At the same time, Sinn Féin blames the British Government and claims it has no control. The exact opposite is the case.

Genuinely vulnerable people who are crying out for real solutions in our rental sector do not want to be misled by proposed legislation which is not workable and cannot be implemented. People want real responses that can make their week easier and genuinely secure their tenancies. I believe fully that the Government's response is the best possible in the current climate. It is a targeted response that protects the most vulnerable, including those in difficulties with rental arrears. As the rent supplement has been increasingly publicised in recent weeks, more people have availed of it. We want to create a way to get secure tenancies through a link with the Money Advice & Budgeting Service and other supports. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Department have worked hard to produce an affordable housing scheme that will provide homes at affordable rates to ensure people can realise the dream, to which so many rightly aspire, of owning their own home.

Regarding the marketplace, some 86% or more of landlords own just one or two properties. We must ensure that supply is maintained and that we have a fair and affordable rental market. What is key in doing that is not for a political party, in fewer than 100 words, to claim it has the silver bullet that will secure and fix our rental crisis and keep vulnerable families in their rental properties, when that claim is not true. Anyone proposing a Bill in this House should come forward with real evidence and legal advice - in this case, evidence from Threshold, the ESRI and the RTB - to demonstrate that he or she is pursuing an avenue that can deliver the desired results for the public.

See this speech in context