Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

Does the Tánaiste really believe that guff and spin? We have had 14 years of Fine Gael in government and rents have never been higher.

The Government is absolutely crucifying renters, and what it has done in its plan, when we cut through all of the spin, is that for every single new tenancy, and whether it is in Ardara or Drumcondra makes no difference, after 1 March the landlords will be able to set the price to whatever they want. Under existing law at present in a rent pressure zone this is not allowed. This is a charter for higher rents. This is charter for the vulture funds and for the property developers. It is benefiting landlords. They are the only people who will benefit. We know that tens of thousands of people move out of rental pressure zones.

The Tánaiste used to be the Minister for higher education. He mentioned Ardara, Letterkenny and Buncrana. What about the student who goes to rent a house in Drumcondra next year which is in a rent pressure zone? Will the landlord be able to jack up that price to whatever he wants before he lets the house? The answer is "yes" because what the Government has allowed is a free rein to every single landlord who lets a property out to a new tenant.

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