Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On Seanad amendment No. 3, was there any engagement with bodies, such as Threshold, which have expertise in this area? Why are these being rushed through without proper consideration given that there has only been a handful of cases where an adjudicator has found the tenant did not provide the landlord with contact details in an appropriate manner, for the landlord to offer back the home? Why is there such speed on this? Why is there not proper consultation and consideration of this amendment? As the Minister of State may be aware, this mechanism rarely results in tenants moving back into the home as more than likely they will have moved on to another secure home by the time another offer is made, because they need somewhere to live.

The benefit to a tenant is usually only realised in the form of awards made by the RTB. Has that been taken into account on this?

On the provisions regarding the seven-day time limit for a tenant to respond to the offer of a home, why does the Government think seven days is sufficient? Why has it not considered something more realistic like 21 days? I seek an explanation for the rationale for that.

In summary, I wish to know whether there has been consultation, why it is being rushed through, what is the rationale and why has it not been given more consideration.

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