Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Committee and Remaining Stages
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-11
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John Cummins (FG), Waterford

With all due respect, I did not interrupt the Deputy. Nobody here has a monopoly on compassion when it comes to the difficulties and challenges being faced by individuals and families regarding the shortage of housing supply, whether social, affordable or rental. At my constituency offices in Waterford city and Dungarvan, I deal with constituents in the exact same way as do other Deputies. The Minister and I are not blind to the challenges facing the public. We have a difference of view on how to address those challenges.
The Government is investing record sums in increasing provision of social and affordable housing to try to assist the very people of whom we have been speaking. Our housing plan commits to deliver 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter home supports. Contrary to what was said by Deputies on the opposite side of the Chamber, everything in this Bill is about trying to enhance protections to ensure there is a reduction in notices of termination. That is what is contained in the Bill. Deputies can dress it up and try to present and package it in a different way but the fact is there will be restrictions on notices of termination as a result of the measures we are putting in place.
In his amendment No. 38, Deputy Sheehan seeks to restrict the grounds for evictions where a family member has to return. I ask him to consider that we want rental properties to be put on the rental market where, for example, a family member is going off to work abroad. Is it better for such a property to sit vacant because that person will need it on his or her return or for it to be put on the rental market? I would argue it is better that it be put on the rental market and put to good use while the person is abroad. The Deputy's amendment would prevent that person from being able to return to the property.
Balances must always be found when it comes to putting legislation in place. That is why we are not accepting the amendments that have been put before us. It is all about balance and, contrary to the contributions we have heard from Opposition Deputies, the Government is trying to strike that balance.

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Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-11