Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I should be clear. Rent certainty is not rent control. Rent certainty provides protection for both tenants and landlords. The only way to deal with rapidly rising rents is through legislative change. If we attempt an economic solution to an economic problem, there will be only one outcome. That is the outcome we have witnessed in the past few years because we have refused to act. The market will only fix itself one way in times of lack of supply.

This Government had a big opportunity yesterday to try to fix this problem but Ireland's 720,000 renters were forgotten about. The first-time buyers grant, it is widely acknowledged, will purely increase prices for new builds, and it is a slap in the face for these renters, who will never be able to consider buying with the current rental levels. The Fine Gael amendment is further proof that this Government is just kicking its heels on rent certainty, as it is with so many other aspects of housing policy. It speaks about recognising pressures, a comprehensive response, etc., and although the terms used in the amendment sound good, they will not make a blind bit of difference to the people I spoke about already who will be out queuing this evening, seeking a roof over their heads. The longer measures like rent certainty are put off, the higher rents will rise and the more people will become homeless. This is direct consequence of inaction.

Rent certainty is needed. Those who say they support rent certainty should support the Bill tonight and the parties arguing that they support rent certainty should back it tonight. I appeal to Members to do the right thing. Let us send a message from the Seanad that we can make a proactive gesture to improve the lives of people across all sectors of society. Rent certainty will make a positive change so let us be positive and do it.

It was interesting to watch yesterday's responses to the budget. We all agree the Peter McVerry Trust is at the coal face of this matter, and it saw the budget measures as a series of incentives for developers and landlords. It did not see any real leadership vision or resources presented to deal with the matter. The Minister, who has just left, and the Minister of State face big challenges in our society of housing and rent increases, which are crippling people across the State. The Government is overly reliant on the private sector to address the housing crisis and provide what should be public housing across this State. I have no doubt this is about ideology, specifically a right-wing ideology that believes it is better for the market and privatisation to address social challenges.