The environment minister has denied that the personal interests of Fine Gael landlords are blocking a cabinet deal on rent.

Alan Kelly was responding to queries from Sinn Féin, which has pointed out that 24 Fine Gael TDs and Senators are themselves landlords.

Minister Kelly says some landlords are being unscrupulous by imposing dramatic rent increases on tenants.

But he's acknowledged that any package of rent measures also needs to make sure good landlords aren't scared away: