Sean Barrett (Independent)

Arising from the discussion of the Keane report at the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, an apparent anomaly arose in regard to the rights of tenants in buy-to-let schemes where the landlord defaults. Apparently the tenants could lose their houses, even though they are not the defaulting party. The issue was raised by FLAC and Threshold. Mr. Keane said it had not come to his attention when they were working on the report. I doubled checked it with FLAC and Threshold after the meeting. I ask the Leader to raise this matter with the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Penrose, and also with a person of legal training. It seems very strange that the tenants do not enjoy legal protection where they pay the rent but where the landlord defaults in one of the buy-to-let schemes.