Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Irish Property Owners Association issued a call on Monday for the abolition of rent pressure zones. It was backed by the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers whose chief executive, Mr. Pat Davitt, said, "many, many landlords are renting ... their properties way, way under the rent". They are not getting market rent for their properties and, "The market needs to relax and let those properties into the market at market rent - that’s all we’re asking." Mr. Davitt is hoisted by his own petard there. If the rents he is referring to are very under the market rate and the market rate is re-established, I can only presume that those rents will go way, way up. I am not expecting the Government to axe rent pressure zones, but they are due to lapse on 31 December this year. Does the Government intend to let them lapse or does it intend to roll them over into 2025? With elections on 7 June, I think renters across the country will be interested to hear a straight answer to that question. What does the Taoiseach have to say on the subject?

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