John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is one of the areas I raised a concern about on Committee Stage in respect of the disapplication element. However, I am satisfied from what the Minister's officials told us in briefings, and what he has said just now, that the fact that it will be an offence for a landlord to make a false declaration under this is sufficient protection. Senator Moynihan will be happy to hear me say it is important that making a false declaration will be an offence for the landlord and not just for the tenant. That is right and proper and I am glad the Minister highlighted it. I believe also that five months is a reasonable period because it would call the loan or a mortgage on a particular house into question should arrears go beyond a five-month period.

The provision that one must engage with MABS is a very welcome part of this and previous legislation. As public representatives all of us have engaged with the service in our constituencies on behalf of our constituents. The work it does is fantastic. It puts plans in place across a range of issues for tenants and people in financial difficulties. It is very welcome that it is part of this legislation because without such a service we would be experiencing many more difficulties in this country. It is reasonable that people would be asked to engage with the service.