Housing and children’s hospital legislation
Mary Lou McDonald asks about upward-only rent reviews, mortgage-distress legislation and the unpublished Dolphin report on the children’s hospital. The Tánaiste cites constitutional advice, progress on the Personal Insolvency Bill and says the hospital report remains with the Minister for Health.
I refer to promised legislation on upward only rent review. The matter is under review and there are some complications. The rental arrangements people have with the State and State agencies must be addressed.
Regarding the Keane report, the Tánaiste spoke of his concern for people in mortgage distress. What is coming forward from the recommendations by way of legislation? I refer to the Dolphin report, which has not yet been published, on the location of the children's hospital. There is heightened anxiety about where it might be located given the jiggery-pokery we saw on primary health care centres. It is essential that any decision on this development is absolutely transparent. When will the report be published and when will the Government take a decision on the location, given the need for transparency?
Comment on this
The Minister for Finance addressed upward only rent reviews in his Budget Statement last December. He set out the position and referred to the advice received from the Attorney General.
Comment on this
Does that mean nothing is happening?
Comment on this
I want an answer, not a debate.
Comment on this
He set out the position. There is a constitutional issue related to it, which the Minister for Finance addressed. The Government accepted the recommendations of the Keane report and we had a debate in the House in which we set out, in great detail, the action taken by the Government on foot of the report. The key item of legislation arising from the report is the Personal Insolvency Bill. The Bill has passed Committee Stage and is due to come into the House for Report Stage.
The Dolphin report on the children's hospital is with the Minister for Health and when he is in a position to bring it to Government, he will do so. When the Government has considered the matter, an announcement will be made.