Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. I commend the Minister as this Bill will give some assurance to renters whose income has been affected by Covid. It is critical that we give vulnerable tenants time to recover their financial stability. While the number of people who have directly invoked this legal protection has remained small, the protection has provided a safety net to vulnerable renters. It is important that the mechanism has been put in place.

Throughout Covid, the Government has stood resolutely behind renters. This is its fifth Bill since it took office to safeguard renters throughout the pandemic. We saw many instances of greed and avarice at its worst throughout this pandemic as large-scale landlords sought to penalise students and their families. I am pleased that this Bill will restrict upfront payments upon the commencement of a tenancy to a maximum of two months' rent, or a month's deposit and a month's rent in advance. Equally welcome are safeguards to ensure students will not be required to give notice of a period longer than 28 days before terminating their lease. We have heard far too many tales of students being asked to pay up to a year's rent in advance and having to provide lengthy termination notices before they can vacate their property. I am aware that the Minister and his team have been deeply committed to this legislation. He is determined to bring forward additional protections for tenants in the autumn.

Today's legislation follows through on our programme for Government and a commitment to provide and improve security of tenure for tenants through legislating for tenancies of indefinite duration, increasing RTB enforcement and examining incentives for long-term leasing. Today is an important day for the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his Department as the Bill represents one of a series of critical Bills that will safeguard tenants' rights and, over a period, make housing more accessible and affordable for all.

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