Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am a co-signer of amendment No. 11 and wanted to express that the substantive issue in what we are looking at here has not really been addressed by the Minister. I accept some of the points that she has made on the cost of inflation, although I would note that we say "with reference to" and "taking into account". We do not suggest a prescriptive matching with the rate of inflation. I also note the spirit of what we are doing here follows a very intensive debate in this House on the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. Severe concern was expressed right across the House, including by the Minister's own colleague, the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, about the great pressures in areas that have been identified as areas of rental pressure. I would like if the Minister would indicate that she is understanding of the spirit of it. In effect, as I know from our meetings with departmental officials, there was a concern that the best market rates available could become a determinant for moorings when looking at the areas of canals.

We have a community of dwellers. It is a neighbourhood very close to us here, in Grand Canal Dock. If Grand Canal Dock were to be treated simply as a commercial proposition, with the aim of maximising the return, I think we would see a displacement of a number of residents who live on the canals and have their homes there. We would see a further lack of diversification within the area. We are supposedly committed to a social mix within our neighbourhoods. There is a real concern. We have not yet had any assurances that there will be any break put on the costs that may be attached to those who, for example, would seek to moor in an area like Grand Canal Dock. We have a real concern that we would see a further addition to the high levels of displacement, rental insecurity and persons who may become homeless unless some kind of measure is put in place to manage that issue. I note that similar issues will arise in other rental pressure zones, for example in Galway.

I ask the Minister to address the spirit of this point because it will have to come up in the Dáil. We need to know where the cap and measure are for these neighbourhoods and the people who are living and resident in these areas. Not everyone is recreational. We have people who are resident on canal boats. I do not know if my colleague who also proposed wishes to speak.