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

We are always happy to consider proposals for new laws and regulations but any time we consider a new law or regulation, we must always consider the unintended consequences.

We have seen that play out so many times. When renters are surveyed, as the Deputy will know from the recently published survey, approximately 80% say they have a favourable experience. That still leaves 20% with a bad experience. That is a lot of people when you consider the number of people who are renting. What we want to do with the RTB, in particular, is make sure it is better at enforcing the laws that already exist. That works both ways. I meet lots of renters who are annoyed with the RTB for not enforcing the laws that exist already. I also meet landlords who have not received rent for months, whose properties have been damaged and who do not believe the RTB is working in their favour. We need to make sure that organisation is properly resourced and staffed and has the right IT systems so it can enforce existing laws. That is something I know the Minister is working hard on.

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