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

Will the Minister explain what he said about the 51-week leases? The Taoiseach, who was the Minister's predecessor, said in the House on multiple occasions he would bring this before the Dáil before the summer recess. I asked him if it could be done by ministerial order or in some other way that would hasten the process because we do not want people to be locked in at this point for the coming September. However, he said it had to be done through primary legislation. Is the Minister telling the Chamber it will be ready by the summer recess and we can ensure people are not bound into 51-week contracts this September? The USI has continually raised this issue and people have been in contact with me on it. It seems to me, from one person who contacted me, that it is not just a practice in privately owned accommodation but is creeping into the university accommodation sector. It would be the thin end of the wedge.

See this speech in context