When I raised the long-promised proposal to introduce a deposit protection scheme recently, the Taoiseach very kindly got the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coffey, to reply to me and to say the legislation would be back here within weeks and the intention was to have it passed before the summer. I was surprised to hear media reports this morning to the effect that the Government was going to introduce legislation to allow landlords withhold outstanding water charges from a deposit. Is there a change in that plan or does the Government still intend to introduce the deposit protection scheme?

A second matter relating to that legislation is the need for some kind of controls on rents. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has spoken about the need for rent certainty. Others would say there is an absolutely urgent need for rent controls. Is it intended to provide for such rent controls in that upcoming Bill, which is due back from the Seanad very shortly?

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2012 is still going through the Seanad and will make its way here. On the question about landlords and tenants and water charges, that is a matter the Government is considering as part of the overall options in regard to compliance with the water charges. Landlords are required to register and to give details of their tenancies.

The Government does not intend to legislate for rent control. In respect of rent subsidy, where tenants are notified of an intention to have them removed from private tenancies the opportunity is there under the existing scheme to have that subsidy increased on a case-by-case basis so that the tenancy can be extended in order that housing can be provided for those tenants under a different scheme.

Does the Taoiseach intend to go ahead with the deposit protection scheme, as the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, said last week?

He did not say that.

In that event, the issue of landlords retaining money for outstanding water charges would not arise.

We cannot have a debate on this issue.

What is the intention in respect of the deposit protection scheme?

I do not want to give any detail of what has not yet been decided by the Government. The Bill is making its way through the Seanad. The Minister will deal with a number of issues relating to water compliance and they will be announced shortly.