Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I know she was not involved in making the promises or drawing up the manifesto. However, I am sure she will agree that it is not surprising that people are extremely cynical of all politicians in all political parties about issues such as this one when a commitment on this is contained in party manifestos and in the programme for Government. One must wonder who was advising all the parties concerned on putting this commitment in party manifestos without stress testing it or examining if it was doable or deliverable. Perhaps the Minister concerned who should have replied to this matter was involved in advising the inclusion of this commitment as part of the programme for Government without checking if it was constitutionally possible or feasible. I note from the reply that there were substantial concerns about this - that is the case with all legislation - that it was considered it would be difficult to achieve - it would be because that is what legislation is about - and that there was an issue regarding the infringement of rights. I know the reply was written by the Department of Justice and Equality.

It is disturbing that it is included in the reply that if one is lucky enough to be in a NAMA property, one might get a rent reduction.