Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that this does not fall within the Minister of State's area of responsibility, and I take that into account. However, what she said reflects a litany of confessions of failure. The reality is that there has been a mass exodus of landlords from the market. They are not being attracted back by tax concessions of the kind that have been announced. Telling a landlord that he or she can depreciate cost of fridge over a shorter period or that pre-letting expenses will be more deductible than in the past is no consolation for somebody who is losing control over their property. The the Minister of State's comment to the effect that the Department engages with all relevant stakeholders, including the Attorney General, the RTB and landlord and tenant representative bodies, means nothing. The Government has driven private landlords out of the market. What is happening in this regard is going to continue. What the Government is proposing to do, according to the Minister of State, will not end what is going on. The result is that fewer people will be able to rent houses. Only those who can afford to buy will be able to occupy houses throughout Ireland.