Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I have information which might help the Members. Section 39 originally provided that on the death of all the tenants of a Part 4 tenancy, the Part 4 tenancy would no longer exist. When this section was discussed on Committee Stage in the Dáil, considerable concern was expressed by Deputies as to the position in the case of dependent family members where the sole tenant had died. I pointed out that the situation should not arise since the other occupants should have entered into a joint tenancy at the outset. That is the key to these situations. If people enter into a joint tenancy at the outset, they have full legal protection.