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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Oct 1935

Vol. 59 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral—Answers. - Town Tenant Legislation.

asked the Minister for Justice whether he has anything to add in amplification of the statement concerning the demand for town tenants legislation made by him in the Dáil on the 13th June last and whether he is prepared to consider the matter further in the light of the representations made to him by representatives of the town tenants.

also asked the Minister for Justice whether it is his intention to seek legislative authority for the establishment of rent courts for the purpose of determining the fair rents of town dwellings.

I propose to take questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.

During the last few months I have been in touch with and have received deputations representative of different tenant organisations regarding the demand for further remedial legislation in favour of town tenants. I have explained to these representatives that, in my view, the first essential towards any progress in this matter is that a statement should be prepared setting out full particulars of a large number of cases, distributed as widely as possible over the country, which can be relied upon as typical examples of the hardships complained of. As soon as such a statement is furnished I shall see that it receives the most careful examination as a preliminary to any further steps which the Government may consider it desirable to take in the matter.

Would the Minister say what he proposes to do in reference to the report of the commission presided over by Mr. Justice Meredith which amply demonstrated the need for the legislation asked for in the questions?

Will the Minister tell us why he does not reply on the information supplied by the Meredith Commission?

That is a different matter. Different tenant organisations maintain that grievances exist and I have asked them to submit instances of the grievances that exist. They have not done so.

Is the Minister not aware of the fact that these grievances exist? If so, does he need evidence in writing beyond what he has already obtained?

I say that it is for the organisations to submit the facts.

Does the Minister rely more upon statements that may come from such organisations than upon the findings of Mr. Justice Meredith's Commission?

I say it is for the organisations to submit the facts.

Will the Minister allow money, which the Government are paying out of public funds in the way of home assistance and unemployment assistance, to be diverted into the pockets of landlords when these moneys are needed by necessitous persons?

I have answered that question already.

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