Alan Kelly’s advisers rushed rent certainty measures amid fears of landlords rising rents

Environment Minister Alan Kelly’s advisers rushed to get rent certainty measures agreed by the Cabinet days before the budget in the fear that landlords would hike up rates or evict tenants.

Documents obtained by the Irish Examiner also show a disagreement between Mr Kelly’s advisers and civil servants in the department’s housing section about rent control.

Department principal officer Damian Allen reminded Mr Kelly’s special adviser, Liam Cahill, the section had opposed rent controls last year. This followed a report on rent stability by consultants DKM.