Rent Certainty Bill – Fine Gael needs to stop stalling, says Gerry Adams in Dáil

FIANNA FÁIL has indicated it will not support Sinn Féin’s Rent Certainty Bill when it is voted on in the Dáil on Thursday after Fianna Fáil Housing spokesperson Barry Cowen tweeted criticism of the move.

The Sinn Féin Bill tabled on Tuesday aims to bring in “rent certainty”.

The Bill seeks to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to provide for rent certainty in the private rental market by linking changes in rent arising from a rent review to the Consumer Price Index.

The Sinn Féin Rent Certainty Act 2016 would provide greater protection for both tenants and landlords from volatility in the rental market as it will link any rent increases or decreases to the Consumer Price Index.

This will prevent dramatic increases or decreases in rents.

When Gerry Adams urged Government support for the Bill at Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil on Tuesday, the Taoiseach claimed that Sinn Féin was “playing a little politics” as the Oireachtas Committee on Housing is due to report on Friday.

Gerry Adams retorted that the Rent Certainty Bill could still be supported in principle and Government TDs were still free to make amendments later.

“The Government has made no commitment on rent certainty and even if the Housing Committee makes such a recommendation it will take at least six months for it to be implemented,” Gerry Adams said, adding: “That’s not good enough.”

The Sinn Féin leader continued:

“People are being made homeless every day. There are people who will be homeless by the next time we have Leaders’ Questions tomorrow.

“The Government needs to stop stalling on this issue, and act today by voting in favour of the Sinn Féin Bill this evening.”

◼︎ Later, Fianna Fáil weighed in on the side of Fine Gael, tweeting from frontbench spokesperson Barry Cowen:

“The Committee on Housing will be publishing its report on Friday, Sinn Féin should respect that process.”

Sinn Féin replied:

“‘The process’ could take six months. Those at risk of losing their home can’t play wait and see.”

Three hours later, Fianna Fáil had no comeback.