Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Murphy. At the outset, I want to say I am sorry for getting a bit passionate in the last answer, but I think everybody in the House is just so angered. I want to thank Deputy Cairns for raising the important issue.

I thank Deputy Murphy for highlighting this issue relating to the RTB. I know she is highlighting a broader issue but if she wants to send to my office the details of the case, as an example of some of what she describes as the dysfunctionality being experienced by people using the RTB, I will be very happy to take a look at it and ask the Minister for housing to take a look at it. It is very important when it comes to the rental market that we have a regulated market and an organisation that can oversee it. This is the job of the RTB. Its job is to set out the rules to tenants and landlords. Often in the House landlords can be demonised. It is hard to have a rental market without them. It is important that landlords know that if they experience a rogue tenant, there is cause for recourse which is administered efficiently and effectively.

I do not want to stray too far into the specific case because I do not know enough about it, and nor would it be appropriate for me to do so. I believe there is clarity on the rules and structures of the RTB. Deputy Murphy seems to have an experience that suggests they are not applied or take far too long. If she wants to send on those examples to me, I will be very happy to ask the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to have a look at them.

From a wider point of view, the Government is carrying out a review of the rental market because we are eager to keep landlords in the market, particularly small landlords without whose properties we would see the property supply further constrained. I am happy to take a look at the situation.

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