The Taoiseach is obviously aware of the issue of the 51-week leases now being required by vulture fund-owned student accommodation, and he is of course aware of the detrimental impact that this is having on students and the study abroad sector. Over the past number of months, the Taoiseach has raised his intention to introduce legislation to ban this practice. However, given the tight timeline between the coming academic year and the present, why is he planning on using primary legislation? Is that what he is planning to do? If it is, then it will have to pass all five Stages in the Houses, and we are obviously under a very tight timeframe. Has the Taoiseach considered bringing in secondary legislation like a ministerial order or regulation, which is much quicker? We need to make sure this is sorted before September. People and students are already struggling, and we need to sort it now.

I agree with the Deputy on this. We got an opportunity to engage on this in my previous role so we do need to rectify this. I am going from memory now but my understanding is that primary legislation is required. In my last role, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and I brought a joint memorandum to Government with regard to progressing this through housing legislation. My understanding is that it is his intention to get that passed by the summer. Alongside that, there was a planning aspect, where my former Department was engaging with city councils on the planning conditions attached to some of those buildings. I will get the Deputy a written note but it is still our intention to work with the Opposition to try to resolve this matter by the summer recess.