Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I echo the welcome Senator Regan has given to the Bill which represents an important step in providing practical support for those living in apartment complexes. All of us are aware of the serious issues such persons have faced for many years, for example, with regard to completion standards, maintenance of communal areas and service charges, etc. We support this legislation which will give practical effect to measures to help those living in apartment complexes. I am grateful to the Minister's officials for their work on the Bill. I also thank the groups which have had an input into the legislative process at both Government and Opposition levels. I refer, in particular, to the Apartment Owners Network and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland. We welcome the Bill and the amendments will strengthen it. I am grateful to the Minister for taking on board in his amendments many of the comments made during the various debates in the Seanad.

I wish the Minister well in his retirement. While I did not often agree with him on certain issues, I always appreciated his engagement with this House. That was important because it strengthened many of the Bills considered by the Seanad. I appreciated his engagement and mastery of his brief, as mentioned by Senator Regan.