With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.
I am not aware of any specific case of the kind mentioned in either question. I cannot introduce the regulations that are asked for in Question No. 326 since, apart from any other consideration, there is no legislation that authorises the making of such regulations.
However, both questions are essentially concerned with the availability and cost of private rented accommodation. In reply to a question in this House on 13 November I said that the Minister for the Environment expected shortly to be in a position to make a submission to the Government in regard to the various issues arising in relation to private rented accommodation, including an assessment of the operation of the Rent Restrictions Acts, and that in the circumstances I was not at that stage in a position to make any further comment.