Joe Behan - Independent Councillor - Wicklow County Council

Greystones Shafted
6th February 2017

It is clear that something is amiss with the decision to refuse a rent cap to tenants in Greystones.

RTE has revealed today that, in fact, Greystones was originally on the list of rent pressure zones but was removed at the last minute. This is an incredible turn of events because rents in Greystones are easily comparable to Bray and Wicklow. The people who will be forced to pay huge rent increases in Greystones in the future are entitled to know why they were not protected by the Government.

I call on Minister Harris to explain fully what exactly he knows about this fiasco and when he knew that Greystones was on the list and then taken off the list. The people of Greystones and surrounding area are entitled to a full explanation.

I believe that given what has been discovered, the rent cap should immediately be extended to Greystones. It should also be extended to Arklow and Blessington without delay.

Cllr. Joe Behan
Independent