Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Apr 1982

Vol. 333 No. 7

Supplementary Estimate, 1982. - Rent Restrictions (Temporary Provisions) (Continuance) Bill, 1982: Second and Subsequent Stages.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Raphael Burke)

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

The Bill extends the provisions of the Rent Restrictions (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1981 to 25 July, 1982 or to the date of coming into operation of the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Bill, 1982 whichever date first occurs. The extension will ensure that, in the event of the reference of the permanent Bill to the Supreme Court, tenants of controlled dwellings will be protected against rent increases and against demands by landlords for possession of their dwellings. I think I need not go further in relation to this short Bill which I commend to the House.

Mr. P. Barry

I very much appreciate Deputy Allen's point of view and I shall only say a few words on this. I want to explain to the House that what was suggested here this morning by Deputy Quinn could not in fact work. If the substantive Bill now before the House had the discussion on it postponed until after Easter, with a new Seanad coming — which I think will not meet until the first week in May — the Bill would be delayed until then. The Bill would be signed into law or the Council of State, if the President so decided, summoned a week later, and a decision on this matter might not be reached until the middle or end of July. We would then be up against the final date again and would have to go through the same discussion and introduce another temporary Bill. That seems undesirable. I am glad the Minister has taken the course that I recommended to him yesterday and we shall certainly put through this Bill very quickly this morning.

Mr. Taylor

This Bill is welcomed by the Labour Party.

Mr. Raphael Burke

I thank Deputies for welcoming the Bill and I think we should proceed to the major Bill at this stage. In view of the time that has now elapsed and the fact that Deputy Allen and others want to speak, I am more than willing, if Deputies would like, to continue the Second Stage until 12.30 p.m. or 1 o'clock.

Mr. P. Barry

I agree to that.

Mr. Raphael Burke

It is now an order of the House. May we extend the time to 1 o'clock by agreement?

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes, by agreement. We must go through all Stages of this Bill now.

Mr. P. Barry

We can take this up again later.

Question put and agreed to.

Agreed to take remaining Stages today.

Bill put through Committee, reported without amendment and passed.