asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to publish the report of the Landlord and Tenant Inquiry Tribunal, and whether he intends to introduce proposals for legislation to implement the commission's recommendations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Landlord and Tenant Inquiry.
As I informed the House recently in my statement on the Estimate for my Department, the reports of the Town Tenants (Occupation Tenancies) Tribunal are at present with the printers and I expect that they will soon be available to Deputies and the public. As regards the second part of the question, the Deputy will, no doubt, appreciate that the Government must have an opportunity of fully and carefully examining the reports before any decision can be come to on the question of legislative proposals to implement the tribunal's recommendations.
How long does the Minister think that that consideration will require?
Mr. Boland
I am not in a position to say, but the Government has not got the report yet. It was presented, but it was not circulated to the Government, as we thought it better to wait until it was printed. We ordered it to be printed, and it will be considered as soon as it is printed, but I cannot say how long it will take.
Will Deputies receive the report as soon as it is printed?
Mr. Boland
As soon as the printers have it ready.
And we may take it that the Minister is determined to take such steps as are necessary to abate any abuses that exist?
Mr. Boland
The Government will have to consider it, and I cannot answer for the Government.
I take it that existing abuses will be remedied at the earliest possible moment, if such exist, and no doubt they do?
Does the Minister recall that, in reply to a Parliamentary Question regarding the publication of the report of this Tribunal, he stated that it would be published on a certain date? That date has long since passed, and the report has not yet been published.
Mr. Boland
I cannot recollect ever making any such statement.