Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-18
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Christopher O'Sullivan (FF), Cork South-West

I appreciate the comments from Senators but I feel that this Bill is being completely mis-characterised. As I said at the outset, the types of people the Senators are describing, including those facing homelessness, those in emergency accommodation and those who are afraid of extortionate rent hikes, are exactly the people we are trying to protect and cater for. If you listen to what the Bill actually does, I am surprised that it is being characterised like that and I am surprised that the Opposition is not supporting it. Six-year tenancies, and rolling, are guaranteed. That is unprecedented. That is security of tenure. Landlords will only be able to reset the rent if the previous tenant has left of their own volition. That is unprecedented security and protection for tenants.
No-fault evictions are no longer legal for landlords who have four tenancies or more, that is, the larger landlords. That is unprecedented. It has been called for in both Houses for a long time. That is what this legislation does. Yet, the Opposition is opposing it. That does not make sense to me. Even for smaller landlords, there is a very limited set of reasons where notices of termination can be served. Rent pressure zones are nationwide. I say it again. I am surprised at how this is being characterised. I am surprised at the level of opposition. As I have summarised, what the Bill is doing is giving greater protection to tenants and increasing supply, which is exactly what is being sought.
I was called petty for not accepting this amendment. The main reason we cannot accept this amendment is because it precludes me from commencing the provisions of the Bill. At the same time, the Opposition is looking for a report in three months' time. It does not make sense. That is one of the main reasons we cannot support this amendment.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:39+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-18