Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tonight's response was pathetic. The Government is hiding behind the advice of the Attorney General. The Fine Gael and Labour parties made promises before the last general election that they would deal with this issue in Government, and now they are unwilling to do that. Retail Excellence Ireland, REI has outlined that 30,000 jobs are at risk, that means if those jobs are lost, it will cost the Irish economy €600 million. In addition, REI has outlined that 20,000 additional jobs could be created, a net 50,000 jobs if Senator Quinn's Bill were to be accepted. That is a saving of €1 billion to the Irish economy. That is a no-brainer. Yet, the Government is not willing to accept Senator Quinn's Bill.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine rents 80 properties of which, 71 have an upward only rent review. That can be changed in the morning. It is State owned property. If those in government believe there is constitutional impairment, but are committed to dealing with it, let us have a referendum on it. We are having a referendum on every other issue at present.