Taoiseach defends rent reform plans, slams 'over the top' political backlash

Government plans include inflation-linked caps and end to ‘no-fault’ evictions, drawing fierce opposition criticism in Dáil

Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaks to the media after addressing the Ibec-CBI Joint Business Council (JBC) All-Island Business Conference at Ballymascanlon Hotel in Dundalk, Co Louth. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The Taoiseach has hit back at the “over-the-top” reaction to “modest” proposals around the rental system.

The Government announced sweeping changes to the rental system on Tuesday that will cap rent increases at the rate of inflation. However, during periods of high inflation, hikes for most tenancies will be limited to a maximum of 2%.

The changes will also end ‘no-fault evictions’ for larger landlords — those with four or more tenancies — who will no longer be allowed to terminate a tenancy where the tenant has met their obligations, except in very limited circumstances.

The changes have been heavily criticised by the opposition, with Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty telling the Dáil that “the madness of this plan is matched only by the incompetence of the Government’s approach.”

"It is a complete and utter botch job," Mr Doherty.

In response, Tánaiste Simon Harris said the plans will pass through the Oireachtas before the end of this Dáil term — in just five weeks — and accused the opposition of “continuing to misinform people.”

Speaking in Dundalk on Thursday, Micheál Martin said that the timeline would be met. Mr Martin described the RPZ (Rent Pressure Zone) move as “significant” and said it would be “followed by the Housing Activation Office and other measures.”

"The RPZ measure is important because it sets the scene for the long-term [and a] more sustainable rental market."

Mr Martin added that his original comments in the Irish Examiner in February had been seized upon by the opposition in a way he called “over-the-top.”

"I wasn't flying any kite. We've seen the substance this week. I think you guys (the media_ flew a few kites. The response was over the top, not from the media, but from other politicians. The response was completely over the top. Everybody knew there was a review of the RPZ. It was announced in October last year.

"The response to what I said was completely exaggerated and over the top and motivated by politics, not from the media, but politicians.

"We never said we were getting rid of RPZs. They were being reviewed with a view [to changing the system]. What I did say was, unequivocally, we have to get private sector investment into housing. And we do.

"I said in the Dáil repeatedly, we're not getting rid of RPZs. I said repeatedly in exchanges with the Social Democrats and Sinn Fein, but it was a great line. It was a great line to put the fear up people. I didn't put the fear into anybody."

The Taoiseach also rejected the claim that the timeline for passing the reforms had shifted due to criticism. In a technical briefing on the changes earlier this week, the five-week timeframe was not confirmed. Asked if this indicated that the Department of Housing was unaware of the Government’s proposed schedule, Mr Martin said it did not.

"The extension of the national (rent pressure zone) is going to be covered either in the planning bill that will be done before the summer recess, that's the bill that's rolling over the planning permissions, or you can do a short bill. There's no big deal about that."