Vol. 388 No. 2
asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a new campaign launched by Threshold to have regulations enacted under the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) (No. 2) Act, 1982, to ensure that all private tenants have a right to a rent book and that a minimum set of physical standards apply to rented dwellings; when he will introduce the necessary regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12.
asked the Minister for the Environment whether he will make regulations to require landlords to supply rent books to all private tenants; and if he will introduce minimum standards for private rented accommodation.
19.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement on the proposals of his Department to implement the recommendations of Threshold in relation to the regularisation of the issue of rent books to tenants, the condition of private rented accommodation and the enforcement of fire regulations.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 12 and 19 together.
The issues raised by Threshold last week are being examined. In relation to fire safety, action may be taken by the fire authority in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Act, 1981.
I have long admired the Minister's ability to eloquently put comments and views on the record. Would the Minister and the Chair not agree that the paucity of the response we have received is totally inadequate? The Minister has the power to bring in regulations making it the right of any tenant of a private flat to have a rent book. If one goes up the road to the supermarket one gets a receipt for a bar of chocolate. Is the Minister prepared to give consumers the same right in relation to their place of abode?
The matter is being considered. I thought perhaps the Deputy might recognise that. The other question about harassment and security of tenure are matters for another Minister.
Will the Minister agree that this question arose on a number of occasions since his coming to office as Minister and that therefore it is not simply a matter of the Threshold document being the starting point for concern, and can the Minister indicate to the House if in principle he is prepared to give to every tenant of a private rented flat the right to have a rent book?
I am concerned about a number of things, about increased investment, raising standards and having an orderly rent scheme prevail. I do not want to do anything that would lead to withdrawal of accommodation from the market, and I do not want to discourage investment or reduce the supply of dwellings on the marketplace. As the Deputy knows, some rent books are mandatory, those relating to formerly controlled dwellings. The Minister for Social Welfare said that health boards recently had no difficulty in getting rent receipts where they would be involved in supplementary welfare payments. Some of the reasoning behind one or two of the questions, not necessarily the Deputy's question, therefore may not arise. The question of this and other related matters is being considered at this time.
Deputy Quinn and the House will appreciate that I cannot dwell unduly long on any given question. It is going to be difficult for the Chair to dispose of these four questions within the limited prescribed time laid down in Standing Orders. I appeal therefore for brevity and relevance.
I will comply with the Chair's request. We are dealing with three questions together but I exclusively am allowed to ask questions.
I appreciate that, Deputy, but my primary concern is to dispose of the four questions within the quarter of an hour requirement.
Would the Minister agree that he alone is the greatest cause of the reduction in the supply of housing over the last two years, because of the reduction in local authority housing? Will the Minister put on record now that in principle this Government are in favour of people having the right to a rent book, no matter where they are?
I do not want to seem not to be co-operating with the Deputy. I only want to do the proper thing from everybody's point of view. I am particularly anxious that we keep up the level of investment as far as housing is concerned——
But you have reduced it.
——from the private sector, and the section 23 arrangement has brought about a reawakening of investment in that area. I am anxious that proper standards would apply. I do not want a situation to arise because of some action that I took where there would be a withdrawal of supply of dwellings available to the market.
You are the biggest culprit.
I want to call another question. It is imperative that I do so at this stage.
I am concerned that I would not be charged with that, at a subsequent date, if I do something which the Deputy wishes me to do now which could and would lead inevitably to a withdrawal of some investment and space. It must be understood that what the Deputy suggests might not be so effective and tenants will still be open to threats of eviction in the event of disagreements and we could end up in a much more difficult situation that the one that currently exists. I have to concern myself with all of these matters and that is why I have authorised a review of the whole thing.
Question No. 2 please.
On a point of order——
Is the Deputy going to dissipate the precious time available for dealing with priority questions by raising a point of order which may well transpire to be of a spurious nature?
It will not. I appreciate the Chair's concern. On a point of order, I am so appalled at the reply that I wish, with the permission of the Chair, to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I had rather expected that you would and I would have been disappointed if you had not.
The Minister has confirmed my worst suspicions.
