Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 3, line 25, to delete "28 February 2026" and substitute "23 June 2028".

The amendments in this group are straightforward. They are connected to the amendment No. 1, the purpose of which was to ensure that rent could not be set above zero, effectively giving rise to a ban on rent increases. This was to change the principal Act and the amending legislation in order that the ban would last for three years. As I articulated on Second Stage and while speaking on the first group of amendments this evening, our view is that renters are paying rents that are too high and that we need an emergency ban on rent increases. That should be for a period of three years. Crucially, and contrary to the misrepresentation by the Minister earlier, it is not a question of doing this and nothing else. It is to create space, in particular breathing space for renters while better policies and investment measures for increasing social and genuinely affordable rental and purchase, but also for large-scale private sector investment for good quality homes in every county in the State for working people to buy, could be delivered. On that basis, I commend amendment No. 3 to the House.

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