Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister mentioned a cliff edge. Has he read my legislation and where does he thinks it would result in a cliff edge? It would not provide an equal level of protection as someone in a typical tenancy because I have recognised that these students would be living in someone's home. However, it would have ensured they could not be made homeless overnight. I think that is reasonable. It would have ensured a young woman was afforded a degree of privacy whereby she could have a lock on her bedroom door which would give her a level of privacy and protection, which I believe the Minister would agree can be needed. That is reasonable. It would have allowed these homes to be included in the Government's rent pressure zones. That is reasonable. It would have given both the student and the homeowner access to the RTB for dispute resolution, therefore protecting both parties. I think again that is reasonable. I was told the Minister's Department was going to give this Bill due consideration, but am I hearing now he believes it is a cliff edge and he will not be?

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