Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that pertinent point, but I caution that we need to ensure the taxpayer is not taking on liabilities where there is an accountable person or builder to be pursued in the first instance. Local authorities have a responsibility to pursue the builder or persons responsible for an estate and have a number of measures and powers available to them. Deputy Noel Coonan mentioned the bonds and legislative powers available to them to pursue the people concerned. If all of this has taken place and there is still no one to hold to account and there are issues in taking an estate in charge in terms of water services, I can report that the Department and the Minister are examining the possibility of taking a new national initiative similar to the special resolution fund to provide limited funds for the purpose of the taking in charge of estates where there is no alternative or other resolution. This is being actively considered, but I caution that it would only apply as a last resort and where a local authority had pursued the responsible person or authority fully and, ultimately, there was nothing available to finish the estate. I wish to make it clear that this is another legacy of the boom-bust cycle and that there have been consequences for people living on such estates. The taxpayer is being required to clean up the mess. It is something that is being actively considered.