Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I might just flip that around and say that 18% of landlords own a vast amount of rental property. The Minister of State referred to the majority of landlords only owning one or two properties, but a small number of landlords own huge amounts of property. This proposal is appropriate. Such landlords will not be stuck in these circumstances. Sometimes the small landlord gets pushed out, yet at the same time we are talking about large-scale investment funds and what they want. They have lobbyists.

The argument can be a little bit disingenuous. If separate measures need to be put in place for small landlords, then they should be included, but that scenario should not be used to create protections for very large investment funds that have vast portfolios of property and are also benefiting from interesting tax incentives and other measures from which the small landlord might not benefit. They get both sets of benefits. They get all the extra benefits and they also get protection by using smaller landlords as cover. That is a general point.

I am happy to withdraw the amendment, but I hope the Minister of State will engage with interested Members of the Oireachtas in respect of the review he mentioned that is coming up to June. There are measures within it that must be examined for long-term tenants, especially older tenants. In the city of Dublin, people in their 60s and 70s who are renting could be very insecure in that regard. That is who I have in mind - those who would have been in bedsits in the past, some of whom are long-term tenants. They are people who may find themselves far down a housing list if they lose their current tenure, so they need a period of time to give them a chance in that regard.

I will withdraw the amendment and I will engage constructively with the Department in advance of the review. Other Senators across this House, for example, Senators Fitzpatrick and Moynihan, have spoken about this matter. There is a lot of expertise in this House. I thank Senator Gavan for all of his support for my amendments today. Many Senators were previously members of local authorities and have expertise in these matters. I hope the Minister of State will engage with the Oireachtas on the review.