Measures justified for a short period only

AS A response to the housing crisis the proposal, apparently to be brought to cabinet next week, to limit landlords to increasing rents only every two years is piecemeal and hardly represents a permanent solution. 

Nevertheless, it is a good, welcome first step and offers some short-term security to tenants at least. It offers clarity to landlords as well.

The prospect of Environment Minister Alan Kelly over- riding local authority standards as part of an effort to speed up the delivery of homes must be seen in the same light. Our history with substandard buildings also suggests this option should have a limited shelf life and not be used as a Trojan horse to reduce standards beyond this emergency period.