Rebecca Moynihan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed that the amendments, which are not far-reaching, are not being accepted. I refer, in particular, to the proposal to substitute five days with 28 days. We are asking people in vulnerable tenancies in the middle of a pandemic, just after Christmas, to register their tenancy as being in financial arrears and engage with MABS, which, as Senator Warfield said, involves going through a bureaucratic process at that stage. It is not unreasonable to extend the period to 28 days. People have contacted me who, for whatever reason, be it being overwhelmed or losing their job, have not managed to make their declarations within the specific time period and are in the process of being evicted.

I will also touch on something Senator Cummins said. This is the third time we have discussed residential tenancies since I was elected to this House in March. I keep hearing about the need for balance and reminders that 86% of landlords have one or two-person tenancies. Tenants living in rental property are the most vulnerable. We know the highest rates of people who enter homelessness come from the private rental sector. We, on this side of the House, are asking for balance but it must be in favour of tenants' rights. Tenants are not left with a capital asset at the end of a tenancy. It is their home. As Senator Warfield said, they are contributing to communities. I have heard more often in this House about the plight of landlords than I have about the plight of tenants.

I ask the Minister to provide information on a couple of technical points. If somebody has previously registered a tenancy under this Act, must they do anything within the five-day period or will their registration be automatically carried over? From our interpretation and reading of the Bill, it is not clear whether tenants must engage with MABS at that stage and must re-register the tenancy as being in danger within five days of 11 October. I would like some clarity around that.