asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the acute problem regarding electricity supply to tenants of multi-dwelling houses where the landlord refuses to pay the ESB bill even though the tenants have already paid it by slot meter; and if he proposes to take any measures to rectify the situation.
Written Answers. - Payment of ESB Bill.
75.
I have received no complaints in relation to practices of the kind in question but I am aware, of course, of the questions already put to my colleague, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy, on the same subject. My responsibility in the matter is related to the general area of landlord and tenant law and I should like to make it clear that it would not be open to me to intervene in any way in regard to the commercial practices of the ESB.
As far as landlord and tenant law is concerned, matters such as those mentioned would be only one of several related matters that would have to be considered together, since presumably the suggestion is that the failure of the landlord to pay the ESB bill is a deliberate form of harassment designed to get the tenants to leave. As to that, the position is that the whole question of private rented accommodation was recently reviewed by the Department of the Environment and the results of that review are at present under consideration in consultation with the other Departments concerned—including my own Department. While I am not at present in a position to say what the outcome may be, it can be assumed that consideration will be given to the matter mentioned in the question, and other related matters, in the context of any amending legislation which may be promoted.