asked the Minister for Justice whether the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1923, will expire on the 24th June, 1926; and whether it is the intention of the Executive Council to introduce legislation to extend the duration of this Act, or to substitute a new Act in its stead.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - INCREASE OF RENT AND MORTGAGE INTEREST (RESTRICTIONS) ACT.
A Bill will be introduced to extend the duration of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1923, which will expire on the 24th June next.
I would like to qualify that by saying that the Deputy need not assume that it will be simply an extension of the existing Act; a Bill bearing on the subject will be introduced.
Would the Minister consider the advisability of introducing clauses into this new Bill embodying the principles of fair rent, fixity of tenure, and free sale to town tenants?
I hope to consider everything relevant.
Are those principles not relevant?
Will the Minister say whether it is proposed so to amend the present Act as to allow landlords to charge a higher rent for working-class houses?
I do not quite follow the Deputy, and I do not care to add to the reply that I have given. I merely say that a Bill bearing on this subject will be introduced in sufficient time to enable it to become law before the existing Act expires.
Can the President say whether, since he indicated to the House that he would consider the question of a Town Tenants' Bill, he has since done so, and whether he intends introducing such a measure?
That matter will also be considered previous to the introduction of the Bill.