asked the Minister for Local Government if he will set up an inquiry into the differential rents system.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Differential Rents System.
61.
The general principles of differential renting and the provisions of some individual renting schemes have been debated at length in this House on a number of occasions in recent years, especially in relation to the Votes for my Department. They have been discussed at meetings which I have had with public representatives and local officials and with members of tenants' organisations. They have also been examined at local meetings attended by representatives of local authorities and their tenants.
In consequence of these examinations by the parties most directly concerned, I am satisfied that there is a general recognition of the equity of the system as it is at present operated and is accepted by the 95 per cent or so of the local authority tenants who are paying rents assessed on that basis. In the circumstances I do not consider that an inquiry on the lines suggested is necessary, or would be opportune, at present.
The Minister says this system is accepted by the tenants. If it were accepted there would not have been the strikes we have had during the last 12 months. Would the Minister reconsider this matter? It is important the tenants should have a say in an inquiry. It is not possible to say that this is an equitable system because it is not uniform throughout the country. There are different standards in Dundalk and Cork and Galway and Dublin. The Minister will have the tenants in Dublin out on strike in the next six months unless he holds this inquiry and there will be no possibility of bringing an end to the strikes already in existence unless the tenants have an assurance that an inquiry will be held and their views will be heard.
I do not think the time is opportune for such an inquiry. Under the 1966 Act the management and control of all local authority dwellings are primarily matters for the local authority. It is with the local authority that the tenants must reach agreement in cases where they are dissatisfied or in dispute and in regard to any concessions the local authority give the moneys to meet these concessions will have to be found by that local authority. I do not think it would be proper for me to intervene in individual disputes. I assure the Deputy that at this particular point of time I do not think it is opportune to hold such an inquiry.
The tenants do not believe, and I am not sure myself, that the final word rests with the local authorities because agreements have to be sanctioned by the Minister and there is no point in a tenant organisation coming to an agreement with the local authority if the local authority has not the final word.
Managers in negotiating matters like this must work within the framework of the existing law. There is plenty of scope within the existing law to negotiate with tenants. The Minister comes in when agreement has been reached. It is only right and proper that the manager should submit the agreement or scheme to the Department to ensure that it is, in fact, within the existing law.
Managers of local authorities have expressed views to the effect that this system is inequitable. Why does the Minister not consider the present time opportune? Strikes are taking place and the situation is likely to escalate in the near future. If the Minister is so sure the system is equitable why is he afraid of an inquiry?
And six months' time may not be as opportune.
Would the Minister not agree there are wide divergences between the different local authorities? Dún Laoghaire Borough Corporation scheme is very different from that of Dublin County Council and the latter is quite different from that of Dublin Corporation. Would the Minister not agree there should be a departmental committee, or a committee of this House, or some form of committee to bring about a model differential renting scheme with uniformity of application so that tenants all over the country would be fairly treated and wide variations would be eliminated?
Each differential renting scheme operated by the various local authorities is not, as the Deputy says, identical. There are differences. I should like to see the ideal situation in which there would be complete uniformity. At the same time, there is a certain element of local democracy operating here and that may be a good thing. Because of certain preferences locally and peculiarities which apply——
It is good to hear the Minister agreeing with democracy.
——some of the local authorities may wish to give concessions in a different way from others; these are worked out locally to meet the needs and the demands as far as possible of the tenants, the council and the ratepayers in that area. The fact that there is a difference between some differential rent schemes need not necessarily be a fault in the system. In fact, it may allow for a better tailoring of the schemes to suit the individual needs of different areas.
May I say something——
No, we cannot discuss this question any further.
I think you will agree, a Cheann Comhairle, that it is extremely important.
The Deputy may put a final question then.
May I ask the Minister to consult with his own backbenchers who are members of local authorities and see what they think because if he leaves it for another six months it may be too late?
I shall do that. I have done it several times. We have had several discussions on these matters.
And they do not agree with the Minister.
Yes, in general terms they do.
The members in Cork do not.