Sinn Féin has demanded answers from the Government about the Housing Minister's comments on rent pressure zones.
James Browne told The Irish Examiner the zones are "significantly inhibiting" apartment delivery.
He said “There has to be change. There’s no question about that. The current system is significantly inhibiting the delivery of apartments in Dublin.”
Minister Browne did insist any changes he makes will include protections for tenants.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald criticised the comments in the Dáil today:
"What does he mean Taoiseach? That the Rent Pressure Zone cap is to be raised? That landlords can reset the rent between tenancies to new market rents? That new rental properties will be completely exempt from control?"
The Sinn Féin leader continued, "Taoiseach, renters need to know what your Minister means."
The Taoiseach, in his response, said Sinn Féin supported the Commission that recommended a review of Rent Pressure Zones.
"Rent Pressure Zones are effective in terms of protecting renters and rent increases but all of the established literature and the most recent quarterly bulletin from the ESRI is sayin that long term, we are restricting the growth of supply in the private market."
In response, Mary Lou McDonald said the crisis is totally unfair on young people:
"They are in Perth, they are in Toronto, they are not in Dublin or Cork or Limerick where we need them. Their skill, their energy and their vitality."
