Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I support Senator Bannon's amendment. I have seen some of the pig sties in which some landlords expect tenants to live. Some accommodation is simply not up to standard. Those houses do not comply with any form of building regulations, let alone any standards of comfort, and pose a real risk to people's health and safety.

The amendment spells out clearly how it is proposed to address the problem which does not arise with the vast majority of landlords, particularly those who let out newer properties that are built to sufficiently high standards. However, I have seen old houses which have problems with plumbing, dampness and electrical wiring, for which it is unfair to charge high rents. It is also unfair to expect students to adapt to such an environment that is neither conducive to good health nor to studying. As well as being faced with staying in such accommodation for the academic year, students must often work graveyard shifts at weekends in restaurants, bars and hotels in order to pay the rent.

The amendment is fair in what it attempts to do. The Minister of State is a reasonable person and I appeal to him to consider the amendment favourably.