Vol. 506 No. 5
208 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has to protect people in private rented dwellings who have lived for many years in the same house and find they have no rights to a new lease at a reasonable rent when leases are expiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15692/99]
Certain protections concerning security of tenure already exist within the landlord and tenant code and these protections are consistent with the need to balance the rights of individual parties under the Constitution. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Government has decided to establish a commission to examine issues relating to security of tenure in the private rented sector. The proposed terms of reference, scope of remit and membership of the commission are being considered at present by the Department of the Environment and Local Government in consultation with other relevant Departments, including my own.
Any proposals for legislative changes which emerge from the commission will be a matter for consideration in due course.
