asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware of the discontent felt and hardships experienced by Dublin Corporation tenants due to the enforcement of excessive rents for cottages and flats; and, if so, if he will introduce proposals for legislation to give such tenants the right enjoyed by other citizens of applying to the justices at Morgan Place courts for a reduction in the rents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Cottage and Flat Rents.
Mr. Byrne
I have no information in relation to the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, I would point out that all local authority dwellings are expressly excepted from the scope of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1946, and what the Deputy suggests amounts to a proposal that the law in this respect should be altered so as to apply the provisions of Part III of the Act to the tenants of Dublin Corporation dwellings.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, a commission of inquiry is at present engaged on an examination of the working of the 1946 Act with a view to reporting on the question whether the Act should be continued in force and, if so, subject to what (if any) extensions, restrictions or amendments. Until the commission has concluded its inquiry and presented its report, I am not prepared to consider the question of extending or restricting the classes of premises subject to rent control.