Tags: Ciarán Lynch, Cork, Dermot Ahern, Ireland, job losses, politics, rent reviews, retail sector
CORK Labour TD Ciarán Lynch has accused Justice Minister Dermot Ahern of costing jobs by “procrastinating” on the implementation of a new law that would put an end to upward-only commercial rent reviews.
“The continued procrastination by Justice Minister in the implementation of a new law that would put an end to upward-only commercial rent reviews is inexcusable.
“Last week in the Dáil, I asked the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, when the relevant section, Section 132 of the Conveyancing Act would be commenced by Minister Ahern and she told me that he would arrange for the Minister to contact me directly on the matter.
“This morning I received a letter from the Minister’s office outlining his intentions. According to this correspondence, each and every section of the Act, with the exception of Section 132 will be commenced into law on 1 December.
“In the letter, the wording of which would make ‘Yes Minister’s’ Sir Humphrey very proud, I am told: ‘A separate Commencement Order will now be necessary in relation to section 132. The timing of that Order is still being considered within the Department but the fact that section 132 has not been included in the general Order does not imply that any decision has been taken to the non-commencement of that section.’
“This is a serious matter. Minister Ahern’s foot-dragging on this is creating further uncertainty for businesses at a time when that is the last thing they need.
“Although Irish retailers are paying out some of the highest rents in Europe, Dermot Ahern seems to be burying his head in the sand, hoping that the retail sector will be experience a sudden and dramatic upturn in fortunes between now and December. “Hundreds of businesses are under serious pressure as a result his failure to act, with a question mark hanging over thousands of jobs.
“The measure itself did not go as far as the proposals that Labour had put forward, but it was something at least. Now retailers are fearful that Minister Ahern will not commence the relevant section of that legislation at all,” he said.
