Opposition criticises 'ramshackle' rental reforms in Dáil 

Housing minister James was critical of the opposition, describing an attempt to 'whip up anger among people for purely political ends'. Picture: Stephen Collins /Collins

The Government has been accused of “back of the envelope” reforms to the rental market, as emergency legislation to introduce a national rent pressure zone was debated in the Dáil.

The proposals will see the establishment of a new country-wide rent pressure zone, extending protections to the 17% of tenancies which are currently outside rent-controlled areas.