Rebecca Moynihan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have a number of amendments seeking to extend the protections to 2023, which effectively brings in a short-term rent freeze for people who have registered. The Minister has moved significantly, however, in terms of bringing rent increases in line with inflation and the consumer price index. He is making a very welcome move on behalf of renters.

I am going to withdraw my amendments. I ask the Minister to bear in mind trying to get a mechanism for a rent freeze for people who are in financial difficulty. I am aware that we will be coming back to the House with this Bill. In the interests of co-operation on where we are at this moment, I welcome the amendments the Minister is bringing forward.

I had a number of amendments with regard to trying to recalculate the 8% to bring it back to 4%. What the Government is doing is much more progressive than that. I really welcome it. I ask that we look at a rent freeze overall - a temporary short-term rent freeze of three years - and see if we can possibly constitutionally do that when we come back and examine wider rental legislation. The Government has shown a willingness to move on this. It is a really good move. I will, therefore, withdraw the amendments I have tabled and welcome this. We will be supporting the amendments that link the legislation to the consumer price index.