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

Time and again, we have put forward proposals to increase supply and financing, most recently with regard to leveraging some of the savings on deposit in Ireland and incentivising how they could be invested in housing. Pension funds in other countries invest in housing that is affordable. The Government is creating a system in which rents just go up and up, beyond people's reach. That is the difference. The Government's press release from just over an hour ago states, "All landlords will have the right to reset rent where the rent is below market at the end of each six-year tenancy". Is the press release wrong? The Taoiseach has not commented on the ability of all landlords to reset rent every six years. He keeps brushing around about 2% and inflation. Will he answer that? Is the press release wrong? Why is he not commenting on it? Is he ashamed of what is in the press release? Why does he keep talking about everything else but that this is a measure to effectively abolish rent regulation as we know it? It will allow astronomical rent increases that people simply will not be able to afford and will push more and more people into homelessness.

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