I should like to repair an unintentional omission in regard to welcoming the new Minister, Deputy Fergus O'Brien, to the House. I wish him well in his office.
On section 4, I should like the Minister to explain what I interpret as being that if an agreement is arrived at between a tenant and a landlord it will not be approved of. The section reads:
An increase in the rent of a controlled dwelling notified by the landlord to the tenant on or after the 18th day of April, 1980, whether before or after the passing of this Act or agreed to by the tenant on or after that date and before such passing shall not be enforceable while this Act is in force.
I would like the Minister to explain the reasons, if an agreement is arrived at between a tenant and a landlord in relation to a restricted property, the Act does not permit that agreement to become enforceable.