asked the Minister for Justice if he has received complaints from Town Tenants Organisations in Cobh and other towns in the Saorstát with reference to the exorbitant ground rents charged, and if it is his intention to introduce a Town Tenants Bill setting up a fair rent court to deal with such exorbitant ground rents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Town Tenants and Ground Rents.
I have received complaints from town tenants in Cobh. At the moment I cannot hold out any prospect of legislation on the subject.
Is the Minister aware that ground rents in Cobh have been increased in one case from £100 to £1,862 per annum, in another case from £12 10s. per annum to £415 per annum and in a third case from £16 to £177 per annum. Is he also aware that there are 26 shops idle in Cobh owing to the exorbitant ground rents demanded and that 43 premises were put up for sale during the last twelve months owing to the increase of ground rents? In view of the urgency of the problem will he state when he proposes to introduce legislation to deal with this matter?
I merely wish to add that I am not in a position to hold out any immediate prospects of legislation on the subject, and that I regard a tenant who is in a position to pay £1,800 a year for a house as a gentleman who is reasonably well able to look after himself.
All he wants is the Old Age Pension.
I am afraid the Minister is falling into the bad habits of his predecessor, Deputy Fitzgerald-Kenney, and I give notice of raising this matter on the motion for adjournment.