Micheál Martin and Simon Harris appear at odds over housing policy 

Mr Harris said he would not be in favour of abolishing rent controls, contrary to what Taoiseach Micheál Martin had said on the issue

Tánaiste Simon Harris: 'For me to be convinced of any changes, I need to know that renters are going to be protected, that renters are going to be more secure and that any measures we take are actually going to result in more properties being available.'

Tánaiste Simon Harris has backed the retention of existing rent controls, saying the coalition should not withdraw safeguards from renters when they “already feel insecure”.

Mr Harris said it was important the Government did not develop housing policy “on the hoof”.

The Fine Gael leader’s comments appear to be at odds with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said in an interview with the Irish Examiner that everything would be on the table in relation to housing — including the possible abolition of rent pressure zones.

Mr Martin said he wanted to see changes to entice more private market input into the housing market, as well as requiring a full review of the rental market. He said "a mistake" was made in relation to vilifying vulture funds in recent years and said pension funds had a role to play in housing.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Mr Harris said while there would be a review of rent pressure zones, his own party committed in the general election to retaining the controls.

“For me to be convinced of any changes, I need to know that renters are going to be protected, that renters are going to be more secure and that any measures we take are actually going to result in more properties being available,” Mr Harris said.

He added any review of rent pressure zones needed to be “very careful” and that the Government could not withdraw support and safeguards from renters.

“I think what we have to have is the conversation the other way around. How do we make renters feel more secure, how do we protect renters?

Crucially, how do we get more supply to rent and buy? And I’d start there, rather than the issue of rent pressure zones.

Mr Harris said Mr Martin was “perfectly entitled” to give his views on housing, but he was “very conscious” of the fact renters in Ireland already feel insecure.

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Mr Haris said the coalition needed to look at “policy levers” that could protect renters.

The Tánaiste said the first meeting of the Cabinet subcommittee on housing next week would be an opportunity to “press reset” on housing.