Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As has been stated by Deputy Ó Broin and others, we will not oppose the Bill, but we do not believe it will cut the mustard and deal with the situation of hard-pressed renters. The rent pressure zones failed, as will this legislation. It is almost as if it is legislation for a situation that is not as dysfunctional as the one with which we are dealing. RPZs failed to deliver on 4%; the Minister is now talking about 2%. We do not see the Bill delivering on that, but if we are talking about 2%, why are we not talking about 0%? We also need to talk about putting money back into people's pockets. Our option is the only one at this time, that being, a refundable tax credit worth up to a month's rent. Everything we are discussing will take in or around three years to do due to the dysfunctional and brutal situation with which people are dealing.

By now, we each have a single transferable speech on housing. In terms of rentals, for example, I could speak about daft.ieand more than €1,300 per month for a rental. I could say that there are multiple examples of regular houses in Dundalk that people are incredibly lucky to get for €1,000 per month. I have seen too many examples of €1,400, €1,600 and €1,800 per month. The situation is not getting better and what is being done now is not what is needed.

We all know the supply issues and we know that we need to discuss movement on actually affordable mortgages, cost-rental and social housing. I accept that there are difficulties, but it cannot be beyond the Government to deliver solutions. It has been done many times throughout the State's history.

Many Deputies accept that the RTB will not have the teeth to do even the limited amount desired under this legislation. We know that there are significant issues with the state of some rentals. We also know that we need to examine the entire rental sector in the context of the major tax breaks for large institutional investors and the departure of a large number of accidental landlords and others. The system does not work in any way, shape or form.

I accept that we need to deal with the issue of estate management. There are chaotic tenants. Councils and those who live in council areas suffer particularly in this regard. A significant suite of supports need to be introduced.

I reiterate the comments on the new mechanism for assessing people's right to be on the housing list. It is removing a large number of people from the list who had previously been able to avail of it. People are losing five to ten years on the housing list. This is not good enough. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, about this issue. I would like to have a follow-up conversation with officials. We need movement on the matter.

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