Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire for returning again to the House and bringing forward these amendments. I thank him for taking on board the feedback he has received from my party and obviously from others as well. This is the fourth or fifth time he has legislated to protect renters in the year he has been in office. I think it has been a year so I congratulate him on his one-year anniversary.

It is really important that provisions are being made to extend protections for renters and limit the amount that can be demanded from renters in terms of an upfront payment, and that the notice period for student accommodation is being limited to 28 days. All these provisions build on the further funding the Minister has given to the RTB to help it regulate and control conditions for renters but also on his commitment to the roll-out of an affordable cost-rental model. That is a long-term, sustainable model that we need to get to. I accept that these amendments are a very strong movement in that direction.

I will conclude by saying that I will withdraw my amendment on the basis that the Minister is legislating to cap rent increases to inflation. That is very welcome for renters and I am happy to withdraw my amendment accordingly.