asked the Minister for Justice whether his attention has been directed to the unfortunate predicament of many students, civil servants and other persons who have for years been in occupation of furnished lodgings in Dublin and who are now being told that they must leave because of the more remunerative tourist trade, and, if so, whether he has any proposals under consideration in connection with this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Lodgers' Predicament.
My Department has no information other than that contained in recent Press reports about the matter referred to by the Deputy but I am ready to accept it that the difficulties of persons compelled to seek accommodation in furnished lodgings in Dublin are increased by the influx of large numbers of visitors from outside the country. If the Press reports correctly represent the position, which I have no reason to doubt is the case, I am sure that the whole House will agree that it is to be deplored that lodging-keepers in the city should, in order to reap a temporary though, perhaps, substantial profit from the influx of visitors, eject their regular lodgers with a disregard, amounting almost to callousness, of the difficulties with which these lodgers may in consequence find themselves confronted. I cannot see, however, that there is anything useful that I can do in the matter. Legislation designed to provide security of tenure for lodgers, even if it were practicable to frame such legislation, would not, in my view, solve the problem and might indeed serve only to accentuate it in the long run.
Mr. A. Byrne
Will the Minister ask these people who take in lodgers not to remove them from their lodgings at very short notice or without any notice at all? Can the Minister not do something to protect these people and to see that they are not called upon to suffer great hardships?
I will see that the Deputy's suggestion is brought to the notice of the Minister for Justice immediately on his return.
Is this not a matter which the Taoiseach said yesterday would be considered by the Minister for Justice?
Furnished lettings were referred to by me. There may be a difference between lodgings and lettings. So far as furnished lettings are concerned, the matter is being considered by the Department of Justice.