asked the Minister for Justice whether, in view of the fact that a Commission is at present considering the position of town tenants, and that its final recommendations are likely to involve new legislation, he will consider a proposal to extend the time limit prescribed by Section 5, subsection 1 (b) of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1926, viz., the 24th June, 1928, in respect of houses the rateable value of which does not exceed £30, in the County Borough and Urban Districts of Dublin, or £25 elsewhere.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RENT (RESTRICTIONS) ACT.
I think that the Deputy intended to refer to Section 4, not 5. I shall, of course, bear his suggestion in mind in case any legislation of this character is under consideration, but I am not to be understood as accepting the suggestion.
Is the Minister aware that a number of owners of houses have given notice to their tenants that they must leave their houses in cases where the valuation is just £30, and the intention is to convert those houses into flats and charge excessive rents for them? Will the Minister see that hardships will not be inflicted on such tenants?
That is a matter which will, no doubt, be taken into consideration by the Commission. I am awaiting their report.
Does the Minister not think that it would be fair to these tenants, who have notice served on them, for the Government to give them some relief by way of an extension of the Act, say, for twelve months, as these men are up against a situation in which they have to prepare new agreements with their landlords, and will probably have to pay excessive rent or leave the houses?
The Deputy recognises that that is quite a different question to that on the Order Paper. The Deputy now requests that new legislation should be introduced forthwith to amend a section of an Act which was only recently passed.
To extend the period.
I am afraid that I cannot promise the Deputy that.