The government is facing calls to abandon plans that would allow landlords to raise rents between tenancies.
Under the proposed changes, rent caps for new tenancies are set to be relaxed, with the plan expected to go before the Cabinet next week.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, as the government appears poised to alter the existing RPZ's.
Labour Party TD Conor Sheehan has condemned the decision, accusing the government of abandoning renters to unfair increases.