Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I welcome this legislation. As the Chair of the housing committee, I also thank its members from all parties for waving pre-legislative scrutiny at a meeting yesterday so this Bill could be on the agenda here today and passed before the week is out. I just wanted to put that on the record.

Ultimately, this Bill is about protecting tenancies and trying to create an environment to get inward investment into the building of apartments. As Deputy Devlin said, the report of the Housing Commission was referred to the Housing Agency, and that body was tasked with coming up with recommendations on the RPZs and the best formula going forward. We had representatives of the Housing Agency before the housing committee yesterday and members put these questions to them. They asked for clarification concerning why this recommendation was put forward. The Housing Agency looked at four recommendations. I went back over the text because I feel it is important that these reasons be known. Regarding the first option, while it was felt it might encourage more supply, it would be detrimental to tenants who would experience very large increases in rent. It was felt the second option would not encourage further investment. The third option, a points-based system as used in Europe, was felt to be a system that could not be introduced here. This is why the fourth option - to expand the RPZs across the country - was the recommendation put forward by the Housing Agency, which had been charged with looking at the best system for tenants here. Ultimately, this is about having a system that will protect tenancies and create investment. Yesterday, we heard that approximately 55% of the units being built currently are being supported by the State. This is not sustainable into the future. We need to get leveraged finance from our own financial institutions, but we also need international finance coming into the country to support housing construction.

I have a few queries. Specifically regarding my area of Longford-Westmeath, the initial legislation referred to rent levels above the rental average in the State. Our rental average would be quite a bit lower compared with other counties. I would, therefore, like to query the implementation of this aspect in every county. Concerning my home county, we have a short supply of hotel accommodation and many people are doing short-term lettings. I refer to viability in this regard, if the Minister could give me an answer on these points on behalf of people in those areas.

I am delighted, however, to be able to support this legislation and will be supporting the further legislation when it comes before the Dáil in the autumn term. I also look forward to having the opportunity, along with my colleagues, to scrutinise that legislation when it comes before the housing committee.

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