Danny Healy-Rae votes against Government — and brother Michael — on rent reforms

Danny Healy-Rae voted against the Government. He participated in Government-formation talks last year, with his brother Michael securing a junior ministry in the Department of Agriculture. File picture Dan Linehan

Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae has voted against the Government and his brother Michael on proposed new rent reforms.

Another Government-supporting independent TD, Gillian Toole, abstained on the vote.

The Residential Tenancies Bill will introduce new six-year leases. There has been widespread opposition to landlords’ ability to increase rents to market rates each time a tenant leaves the accommodation of their own accord.

Sinn Féin has suggested this could result in rents increasing by between €3,000 and €5,000 a year.

The legislation will also create a new residential tenancies register.

Ahead of five hours of debate on the proposed legislation and a final vote at 11pm on Wednesday evening to force the legislation through, an initial vote was taken on the Residential Tenancies Bill to allow further debate on opposition amendments.

The Government parties voted in favour of the bill, with all the opposition parties voting against it.

Danny Healy-Rae voted against the Government. He participated in Government-formation talks last year, with his brother Michael securing a junior ministry in the Department of Agriculture.

Ms Toole, who was also involved in Government-formation talks as part of the Michael Lowry cohort, opted to abstain in the vote.