Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This Bill has been worked on for some time. It goes back to the previous Fianna Fáil Government and some points in it were agreed at that time. The Bill is comprehensive and speaks for itself, but there are some areas about which I have concerns. One concern relates to the position of local authorities in regard to private rented accommodation. I am aware of two particular cases. One family in Lisacull in Castlerea, County Roscommon, was lobbying the county council to get some work done on their house, but as far as I am aware the County Council is not covered under the PRTB and is exempt from it. I suggest the Minister of State should consider bringing local authorities under this legislation.

I have a letter here to a landlord outlining the details of requirements, such as fire blankets and so on, which had not been supplied. However, the council, which issues requirements and carries out inspections, does not get involved in this regard in its own council houses.