Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 6, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:“ “authorised advocate” means an elected public representative, social worker, medical or legal professional or a representative of a tenants or housing rights body recognised by the local authority;”.

I have tabled these amendments on the basis that many tenants who go to local authorities to be interviewed tend not to understand what is being said and do not have the ability to understand some of the things requested of them. We need a clearer picture on who can attend the local authority interview with the person concerned. I have included a number of suggestions, including a public representative, a social worker, a medical or legal professional or a representative of a tenant housing rights body recognised by the local authority. It is important that we have a clear picture on who is allowed to attend. Some local authorities are flexible, while others are not. If it is clearly stated these are the people who can listen to what is being said and represent the tenant, it will lead to greater understanding. That is the purpose of the amendments.

See this speech in context