To ask the Minister for Home Affairs when it is proposed to introduce a Bill amending and revising the Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, in accordance with his promise, given to this Dáil on the 20th October last?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - RENT RESTRICTIONS ACT.
A committee is at present considering the operation of this Act with a view to advising whether or not it should be continued, and, if continued, in what respects amendments, if any, may be necessary or desirable. This Committee has already held several meetings, but I understand that it will not be in a position to report for some weeks to come. Until this report is received I am not in a position to make any definite pronouncement as to when a Bill can be introduced.
Arising out of that answer I wish to ask the Minister if he is aware that in England, for the conditions of which this Bill was originally drafted, it is now intended to supersede this Bill, and if it is then, in his opinion, a fortiori, is it not much less suited for this country for which it was not originally drafted?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I was not aware of the interesting information the Deputy has given, and I await the report of the Committee.