Vol. 519 No. 7
6 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received the report of the commission on the private rented sector when it is intended to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14686/00]
When I established the commission on the private rented residential sector in July last year, I asked that the commission report to me by 1 June 2000. The chairman, on behalf of the commission, recently asked me to extend the deadline by one month and I have acceded to this request. Consequently, I am expecting the report of the commission at the end of June or early July and intend to arrange for its early publication after I receive it.
It is expected from the announcements to date that the report will deal with issues such as security of tenure, rents and the relationship between landlords and tenants. It is reasonable to expect that it will give rise to new legislation. Has the Minister of State undertaken any preparatory work to anticipate any new legislative measures which will be required arising from the report of the commission on the private rented sector?
As I am sure the Deputy realises, I cannot pre-empt the recommendations which might be made in the report. I have asked the commission to do a very important job. Its terms of reference are to look at the issues of improving security of tenure, maintaining a fair and reasonable balance between the rights and obligations of landlords and existing and future tenants, increasing investment in the supply of residential accommodation for renting, including the removal of any identified constraints to the development of the sector. These are difficult issues to resolve. The commission is doing a tremendous amount of good work. It has an extensive work programme in respect of which it has had 15 full meetings. A further three meetings are scheduled before it expects to be in a position to finalise its report. There have been 14 meetings of various subgroups. The commission held a seminar on a number of the issues in Sep tember. It is best to wait until we see what its recommendations are. As the Deputy is aware, there are officials on the commission who keep me informed as to how it is progressing. If a consensus is not achieved it will have to decide on the format of the report.
May I take it that, despite the fact that hundreds of tenants have been evicted from their accommodation, rents in the private rented sector have doubled during the Minister's tenure of office and tenants in private accommodation here have fewer rights than in any other European country, the Minister of State has done nothing to address these very important issues? Apart from establishing the commission which will report in July, the Minister of State has taken no action and undertaken no preparatory work or study in the three years he has been in office to provide protection or rights for tenants in private rented accommodation.
Such false moral outrage ill becomes any Member of the House—
There is nothing moral about it. The Minister of State has done nothing.
The Minister of State is in possession.
The Deputy's party did absolutely nothing to try to deal with the issues now being confronted at my initiative.
The problem has doubled since the Minister of State took office. He has the worst housing record in the history of the State.
The Deputy should not interrupt when the Minister of State is on his feet.
In regard to whatever recommendations are made, I will not be slow to bring proposals to Cabinet. There are procedures whereby legislation can be initiated. I will fulfil all those procedures and requirements.
With proper consultation I suppose.
My track record in regard to the commissions I have established so far indicates that I act rapidly and state on the day reports come out what I intend to do in regard to the recommendations contained therein. No other Member of the House has an equal record in that area.
None of them has worked.
The Deputy's feigned worry and concern is falsely based.
Tenants are worried and with good reason.
My colleagues and I will take appropriate action when the time comes.
The Minister of State went through the commission's terms of reference. Has he had any discussions with the Minister for Finance with a view to having tax relief increased for those who pay rent? As we are all aware, rents in the private rental sector have escalated. A single person qualifies for tax relief of £500 and a couple, £1,000. Are there proposals to increase these figures?
Do the terms of reference of the commission include consideration of systems in operation in any other country? Does the Minister of State agree, for example, that the system in force in Belgium – what they call the 369 lease – provides exactly what is required, security of tenure for the tenant, a reasonable deal for the landlord and predictability in the relationship?
International practice has been carefully examined and taken into consideration in the deliberations. The other issues raised which do not arise under this question have been looked at by the Minister for Finance in the context of the budget.
Will he do anything about them?
No.
He will keep looking at them.
For another three years.
