Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I start by sending love to Donegal where the funerals of the four young men will take place today. It was an appalling tragedy and my sympathies are with the families, friends, neighbours and the community at large.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 15 be taken before No. 1. It concerns the Property Services (Advertisement of Unfit Lettings) (Amendment) Bill 2019, which is a Bill designed to curb the advertising of unfit lettings and rental properties that do not meet legal rental standards, including overcrowding and fire safety regulations. The Bill would allow people to report advertisements of unfit rental properties to the Property Services Regulatory Authority and would give the authority the power to instruct letting agents and online platforms to remove advertisements of rental properties that are in breach of regulations. Rental properties posted on the likes of daft.ie, rent.ieor spotahome.comthat in no way meet regulations that are in place have become a constant story in traditional and social media outlets. These are regulations that ensure rental properties are fit for purpose and fit for the rental market. We know that some of these rental properties range from overcrowded dorm rooms to apartments that are no more than converted hallways or sheds.

It is astonishing that even after media attention is drawn to these lettings, these advertisements remain online despite being in clear breach of regulations. They only remain online because of the ongoing rental crisis in our cities and towns. Advertisers are aware that such lettings may still be rented due to people's desperation and the extent of the housing crisis. Letting agents and online platforms also have a role to play in ensuring the rental market is not undermined, standards are upheld and renters, and I am thinking of many young people, can interact with the rental market with dignity and respect. Websites should not be providing space for the advertising of rental properties that are in clear breach of regulations.