Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Landlord and Tenant Bill.
- Reintroduction of Landlord and Tenant Bill 2 speeches
The Minister plans to introduce ground-rent measures first, followed as soon as possible by a comprehensive bill covering substantially the same ground as the lapsed 1977 Bill.
Jim O'Keeffe, Gerard Collins
- Existing ground rents bill 7 speeches
O'Keeffe presses for a timetable, and Desmond asks whether abolition will involve compensation. The Minister says his six-month assurance expires on 5 January and will be honoured, but does not answer the compensation question.
Jim O'Keeffe, Gerard Collins, Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, Barry Desmond
- Lease renewals and Byrne v. Loftus 4 speeches
O'Keeffe says the Supreme Court decision is causing problems for tenants renewing leases and urges swift reintroduction of the bill. The Minister agrees there is urgency and promises to press for its prompt introduction and passage.
Jim O'Keeffe, Gerard Collins
asked the Minister for Justice whether he intends to re-introduce the Landlord and Tenant Bill, 1977; and, if so, when.
Comment on this
As the Deputy is aware, I have already introduced a short Bill to prohibit the creation of future ground rents on ordinary dwellinghouses. My next project in this area will be the introduction, in the very near future, of a Bill to deal with existing ground rents on such houses. When both those Bills have been dealt with by the Oireachtas, my intention is to introduce, as soon as possible, a more comprehensive Bill covering substantially the same ground as the Landlord and Tenant Bill, 1977 which lapsed with the dissolution of the 20th Dáil.
Comment on this
Would the Minister tell me what he means by "in the very near future" in relation to the Bill to abolish existing ground rents? Could he put some time limit on it at this stage in view of the fact that the promised six months period is running out?
Comment on this
The Deputy should be able to do his sums and know that six months from the time I gave the assurance will not expire until 5th January. The Deputy need have no fear whatever that the assurance I gave will not be fully honoured; he should wait for it and not get excited about it.
Comment on this
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister sure they will not take a march on Leinster House?
Comment on this
May I ask the Minister if the future Bill will contain a provision for the abolition of existing ground rents with or without compensation?
Comment on this
There is one other matter directly arising out of this question. Is the Minister aware of the Supreme Court decision in Byrne v. Loftus and the problems that is causing tenants at present renewing their leases? Those problems would have been resolved under the terms of the earlier Bill. In those circumstances, does he not accept that there is a degree of urgency for the reintroduction of that Bill, apart altogether from the question of ground rents?
Comment on this
I accept that there is a degree of urgency with regard to the reintroduction of the Landlord and Tenant Bill. I will do everything I possibly can to get it into this House as fast as I can and when it is in the House to have it dealt with as quickly as possible.