Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Under the legislation the private residential tenancies board will have the function to undertake research and provide information and policy advice in general with regard to the private rented sector. It will also have the specific function of monitoring the operation of this legislation and reporting to me on any changes it might consider necessary. These functions will address the concerns expressed in the provisions of Senator Bannon's amendments. The proposals in amendments Nos. 7 and 8 to assign the board specific statutory functions to monitor discrimination, quality and pricing would go beyond the remit of the board as defined in the legislation. Monitoring discrimination is formally a matter for the Equality Authority and it has been allocated resources for this purpose. Enforcement of the regulations regarding standards of accommodation will remain a function of the local authorities although the Government does intend to review these standards. The board will have a specific responsibility to monitor issues such as market rents and to keep the Minister informed of circumstances in the private rented sector. In view of this the thrust of the Senators' concerns are addressed by the provisions of the Bill.