Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Rents are too high in Ireland and in Dublin especially. I do not think anyone would dispute that statement. We have brought in rent controls to limit the extent to which rents can be increased, through the rent pressure zones. The problem of rents being too high is not going to be solved by tax credits or rent controls, which people can get around through subletting and do in other cities very regularly. It can be dealt with only by supply. We need much more social housing, which will free up properties for people to rent. We also need more cost rental, more private builds and more housing of all sorts. That is why I appeal, in particular, to Sinn Féin and the parties of the left to stop opposing new housing in this city and throughout Ireland-----

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