I am concerned that the process will move very quickly to a point where a claim for rent becomes a basis for a notification of termination. I am asking, because this is new, what steps will be taken to offer some safeguarding, with reference to subsection 16( a ) of the 2004 Act.

I move amendment No. 29: In page 9, line 8, to delete "28 days" and substitute "60 days". This amendment relates to the termination of a Part 4 tenancy. The notice period that is allowed in such cases is too narrow, and this is an example of the right balance not being struck. Regardless of the duration of tenancy, people are being given only 28 days' notice. Again, this is not Covid-specific but something that will apply all the time. In a situation where an amount of rent is due, even if the tenant has been in th…

A notice period of 28 days is absolutely too short. I will be pressing the amendment.

As already pointed out, Part 3 does not relate to the Covid situation. It introduces a change in the law in terms of the notification of termination of a tenancy and it is an important change. It relates to provisions in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and broader rental policy. I understand that the Minister of State might not be able to accept the amendment today because the Dáil has risen. Some people can be evicted during this period. Yes, that ban on eviction will stop this regressive measure having a negat…

We were in a housing crisis before the Covid crisis and we will still be in a housing crisis after the Covid crisis. The problem is that this 28-day measure is a measure whereby 28 days' notice of eviction will go into the middle of the housing crisis we faced beforehand. Yes, measures are in place but let us contrast things. We heard about the landlords and their mortgages. Compare the measures that are there for persons struggling with their mortgages with the measures that are there for persons struggling with r…

I move amendment No. 30: In page 9, line 20, to delete "28 days" and substitute "60 days".

Yes.

I move amendment No. 31: In page 9, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “(c) the Board be satisfied that the stated amount of rent unpaid is accurate and consistent, as required by Section 16(a)(ii) of the Act of 2004, with other enactments, including enactments in respect of rental pressure zones.”. These amendments relate to the same point that I have already discussed, namely, the RTB being careful and scrupulous about the right amount of rent being charged to reflect the realities of rental pressu…

I move amendment No. 33: In page 10, between lines line 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(3D) If the amount of rent sought is found to contravene any other enactments, including rental pressure zone rates, the service of a notion of termination shall be deemed invalid.”.

I hope we can engage on the constitutional question, not simply at the committee but also across both Houses. Amendment No. 36 would have addressed the question of the definition of property rights which is something about which my colleague, Senator Ruane, feels passionately.

I have very little time in which to speak, but everything that needed to be said has been said in an incredibly eloquent way by colleagues. The issues that have been raised include access to heating, food, water, transport, basic health and basic education. These are fundamentals for any society and when anyone in society is not getting them, it is a disgrace to all of us. Yet that is what is happening to people in direct provision, in Clare and Galway as well as in the Skellig Star facility. Can the Minister guara…

I wish to express my support for the recommendation. It has been a time when we have heard of the importance of solidarity, and thinking how we rebuild our economy. The workers within companies are also part of the economy and part of society. It is a very fundamental thing. Building back better has been a message being put out but a simple and key part of that is that the voices of workers are heard. The principles of collective bargaining are fundamental to healthy sectors, to healthy and sustainable business, th…

I am also opposed to the section. Very pertinent photographs were put up by Senator Moynihan showing the price of houses having gone up overnight by €10,000. We know that sometimes happens when there is something that is simply driving cost upwards. An impact assessment was needed as to market distortion. One of the best ways to help people is by ensuring that there is more building and more social housing so that everybody is not competing for the same space. We should also examine certain incentives that may stil…

I move recommendation No. 10: In page 48, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “Report on Deferred Tax Assets and Bank Losses 13. The Minister shall, within 8 weeks of the passing of this Act, produce a report on the use by banks and other companies in Ireland of the Deferred Tax Asset schemes in respect of past losses, to include— (a) consideration of the relevance of principles in section 11 of this Act in respect of the use by banks and other companies in Ireland of Deferred Tax Assets, and (b) opti…

I am sorry; it was 100%.

I thank the Minister of State. I hope that he will work to find a solution to this issue, be it through the sunset clause, a limitation or a differentiation between the kinds of loss that can be used. To be even simpler in terms of the description of what was happening here, as the Minister of State said, this is another measure that will give companies a chance to use tax previously paid except that they are using it in terms of past profits rather than future profits. The State is actually giving support to compa…

I will not press the recommendation at this time.

I support Senator Fitzpatrick's comments on homelessness and those of Senators Hoey and Ó Donnghaile in respect of direct provision. The test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. Social solidarity is a principle of a healthy democracy. It is what we rely on. The original common sense is the recognition that we depend on each other. A very strong example of social solidarity, which rightly gathered worldwide recognition and praise, was the set of measures taken by the outgoing Government in March to pr…

The amendment is being pressed.

I am sharing time with Senator Ruane. I welcome the Minister. When the pandemic unemployment payment was introduced, it was, as the Minister said, a solidarity payment to protect people's incomes. It was a very positive measure by the outgoing Minister who is now the Leader of the House, Senator Doherty, and was praised internationally. It was recognised as the State seeing how important it was to keep an economy functioning normally. It was a gesture of social solidarity, but not necessarily simply with those acce…