John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

It has been very interesting to observe the debate and listen to the significant criticism and disapproval on the part of Opposition Members of what the Minister is bringing forward. Those same Members then say they do not intend to vote against the measure. In a very challenging scenario, the Minister has brought balance to a situation in which it is difficult to do so. Primarily, it is to his credit that he is protecting existing tenancies. The inference, namely that existing tenants will face substantial rent increases as a result of this, is simply untrue. It is important to state that clearly, as many of my colleagues have done. There are people who have the sense that what we are doing today will have that impact. It is important to state clearly and with certainty that it is not the impact of the provisions. In fact, this will do the opposite. It will extend the rent controls and protections that tenants enjoy in certain locations at the moment to the rest of the country. It is notable that the Housing Agency review, published before the legislation came to us, found that tenants outside RPZs did face higher rent increases due to the lack of protection in those locations. The Minister is to be commended on making sure the protection of the zones is extended to all tenants throughout the country. It is also important for existing tenants to know that the terms of their tenancies will not change, despite some of the inferences that have been made.

Another thing that is really good about what is coming forward here is that from next March, each tenancy will have a duration of six years. That is very welcome. It will abolish any uncertainty that tenants and families have that a landlord could, at any point and under certain circumstances, end their tenancy. That six-year duration is timed well, and I commend the Minister. It is something that will help build communities. The sole effect of it will, of course, be to protect the family or tenant, but it will also have the impact of helping to build communities. The Minister has made efforts to balance the desire for greater security for tenants with the needs of smaller landlords who have three properties or fewer. In the event that they or their family find themselves in difficult financial circumstances, they will be able to sell the property. They will continue to be able to do that if a family member requires the home. The Opposition will claim that we are doing this to facilitate large landlords and major investors. From next March, those landlords will have no cause to evict a tenant. There will be total ban on no-fault evictions. That is commendable. Opposition Deputies know well that this is a good measure, and they will be willing to support it when it comes to the vote this evening.

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