PJ Murphy (Fine Gael)

The housing crisis is the greatest challenge facing this State. It is an emergency, and emergencies call for immediate action. This Bill, I have no doubt, will help many tenants renting around Ireland. As somebody who lives in and has represented an area within a rent pressure zone for the past six years, I have some concerns about accidental landlords and the fact that inclusion in rent pressure zone regulations might act somewhat as a disincentive to some people to renting out their properties. However, overall, this Bill and these amendments will, in the bigger picture, help tenants right across Ireland. As Fine Gael spokesperson for housing in the Seanad, I commend this Bill to the House.