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Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 1979

Vol. 91 No. 3

Private Business. - Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Bill, 1979: First Stage.

I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the law relating to the renewal of leases and tenancies and to compensation for improvements and for disturbance or loss of title and for these and other purposes to amend the Landlord and Tenant Acts, 1931 to 1978.

Next Wednesday.

If this is the Bill I think it is, presumably it is not unlike the Bill that died after the dissolution of the last Dáil. It is a very substantial Bill. I ask that we get at least two weeks to consider it. The Minister has had it in hands for 18 months. If he has made substantial changes we deserve an opportunity to consider it. It is a very complicated Bill.

I would like to support Senator Molony in seeking a minimum of two weeks to consider this Bill because it looks as if it will be quite a complex measure. It would be impossible to consider it fully before next Wednesday as we may not have it for a couple of days.

In the first place, it will be substantially the same as the original Bill. Consequently, Senators will be aware of the main theme in the Bill. In the second place, it is very much a Committee Stage Bill. I think the principles in it will be generally accepted by the House. The important thing is to have a reasonable interval between the Second Stage and the Committee Stage. Therefore, I ask the Seanad to agree to take it. There is some urgency and it is important that the Second Stage be disposed of. There will be a reasonable interval then before the Committee Stage.

I was not in the Houses of the Oireachtas during the last Dáil or Seanad and I was not concerned with the details of that Bill. It is my responsibility now, being on this side of the House, to consider it. If the postal strike continues I do not know when we will get the Bill.

Senators will get it tomorrow.

What about those who are not here this week? It is a very substantial Bill and I ask that serious consideration be given to not taking the Second Stage next week. The Second Stage is just as important as any other Stage if we are going to consider the entire area of landlord and tenant law. It is most important that Senators be given reasonable time to look at it.

I will have to ask the House to order it for next Wednesday. We can discuss it tomorrow to see if we can have it postponed for an extra week.

Second Stage ordered for Wednesday, 7 March 1979.
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