Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am speaking on amendment No. 25 which states: "In page 35, line 8, to delete “20 or more” and substitute “5 or more”". We welcome the so-called Tyrrelstown amendment in the Bill, which provides that where a landlord proposes to sell 20 or more units in a development within a six-month period, the sales will be conditional on existing tenants remaining other than in exceptional circumstances. However, we were worried that the figure of 20 units appears to be too many. The rationale behind the 20-unit provision is that such a large scale would have a significant impact on reducing the supply of the rental unit in the local market.

However, why should householders in large developments enjoy greater security of occupancy than other tenants? We believe there is an argument against completely getting rid of the option to sell as a reason for renting a tenancy. The criteria of 20 units could reasonably be reduced to a lower level of five units. This would offer more secure occupancy to a large number of tenants without having a detrimental impact on the market by preventing involuntary landlords from selling their properties.

We want the number of units involved to be reduced from 20 to five. In the long term, we also want to look after smaller landlords. In smaller areas, such as where I live in Carlow, and in other rural areas in Ireland there are smaller landlords. This amendment would include such landlords. I hope the Minister of State will address the amendment.