I understand that the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill which will soon move to Committee Stage has the aim of affording extra protection to tenants in private rental accommodation. In Inchicore today, up to 32 families are facing eviction from Emmet House and Emmet Manor, two apartment blocks that are being refurbished. These are very vulnerable and frightened families. They have been told they must leave their homes but they are not being provided with an alternative place to reside while the refurbishment takes place. They have nowhere to go. The Tánaiste will acknowledge that the current legislation does not afford sufficient protection to tenants in private rental properties. Will he ensure that the Government amends the legislation stringently and sufficiently to protect tenants? Will the Government accept amendments to the Bill that would allow extension of the Tyrrellstown amendment to cover refurbishment and force landlords to guarantee alternatives in such cases?

The legislation is due to be progressed shortly and there will be an opportunity to debate these issues with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Murphy, on Committee Stage of the Bill.