James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 26, paragraph (k), line 50 and 51, to delete ", in his or her discretion," and substitute "not unreasonably".

The Bill, as drafted, allows a landlord freedom to refuse to allow a property to be sublet. Amendment No. 7 proposes to change that provision to ensure that a landlord can only refuse to allow a property to be sublet on reasonable grounds.

With regard to amendment No. 8, section 16 requires a tenant to give notice of any person who stays in the property concerned, whether it be for one night or six months. It is absurd to require tenants to notify landlords if they have visitors staying for a weekend, a night or longer. I appreciate the intent behind the section, but to impose an absolute requirement of notice is a measure too far. My amendment will require a tenant to notify a landlord where a person is staying with the tenant for longer than one month. We all have a right to privacy and that right should be respected. It is important that should be the case in this legislation, and that is the purpose of these amendments. I ask the Minister of State to consider accepting them.