The object of the Bill is to extend the Rent Restrictions Acts for a further period of one year.
The extension of the Acts after the 31st December is necessary to enable the Government to examine the recommendations in the Conroy Report on Rent Control. Senators will recall that this report, which was presented in 1952, recommended the extension of control to all dwellings, whenever built and whether let furnished or unfurnished. It also recommended that landlords of the houses which are now controlled should be allowed an increase in rent where they are responsible for repairs. The report contained a large number of other recommendations many of which, although of a technical character, also involve important issues of principle.
At present, the main recommendations of the Conroy Commission are being examined departmentally, in view of the various relevant changes which have taken place since the report was compiled. At that time, economic conditions were considerably influenced by the Korean crisis, which was then at its height. Since then, conditions have become more stable and the supply of houses has improved, especially in the rural areas and towns; but there is still a serious shortage of rented accommodation in Dublin and Cork and it will be some years yet before even the needs of the local authorities in these areas can be met.
I shall bring the matter before the Government when the departmental examination has been completed but, owing to the importance and complexity of the problem, the Government will need to study it thoroughly before taking final decisions.
In the meantime, it is desirable that the Acts be not allowed to expire, and accordingly the Bill proposes to preserve the status quo for landlords and tenants for another year. The Bill is identical with those passed in recent years except for the necessary changes in dates.