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

This is our only opportunity to raise a question on this, so simply on amendment No. 3 and the seven days, it is the case that tenants and renters have other things going on in their lives. They can be caring for family members, dealing with sickness, they can have work commitments and they could be away. A seven-day limit for them to accept this offer will cut many people out, especially more vulnerable renters and tenants. That will, presumably, give an advantage to landlords on this. The fact there is no explanation from the Minister of State on why it is seven days rather than 21 days is alarming. A normal part of the process here should be that we are able to ask a question, such as on how the Government arrived at seven days, rather than the 21 days recommended by Threshold, and can get an answer on that. To me, this is totally unacceptable and shows this process is not credible.

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