Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following on from yesterday's debate and Senator O'Brien's contribution this morning, I call on the Leader to raise the following matter with the Minister for Finance. Yesterday, I raised the issue of it not being possible to apply legislation retrospectively, which is an issue in the context of the upward only rent reviews legislation which we debated last night. I would like to suggest a solution to the problem, namely, that the Government would introduce a tax payable on the difference between the market rent and what is being charged by the landlord. This would not make the legislation retrospective. It is a proposal that could be considered in the context of the forthcoming budget and would not require amendment of current law in this area. It is a different way of looking at the issue. I ask that the Leader bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Finance.