The Minister for the Environment is to introduce measures to regulate residential rents, however Sinn Féin is calling for more detail on the proposal so that high rents can be dealt with as soon as possible.

Minister Alan Kelly said that he would be seeking to introduce a framework to give rent certainty to tenants.

Housing spokesperson, Deputy Dessie Ellis, said: "Whether you call it rent control, rent regulation or rent certainty we have been calling for measures to limit rent rises and bring fairness to rates for years now.

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"The Minister and his government have consistently said that they would not introduce any such measures, even ridiculously claiming that to regulate the rental market would be unconstitutional.

"We know that was rubbish so why has it taken so long for the government to even admit some action on rents was needed?

"What the Minister said at the weekend was positive and I welcome that but we need clarity. A temporary rent freeze and new limits on future increases would be very positive but how does he plan to do this.

"Based on previous comments in January it is questionable if the Minister's definition of rent certainty would meet the standards of many people calling for such measures.

"Speaking at the beginning of the year he floated the idea of new five-year leases which would provide for more stable rent levels for tenants. This would be helpful but we need rent regulation to help people in current difficulty and we need to ensure that this is binding for all landlords and tenants."

(CD/JP)