Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am not questioning that. As a former member of a local authority, I can stand over the quality and integrity of local authority staff. However, we must be mindful that there are clear examples in recent history of local authorities demonstrably failing to provide the standard of accommodation required under the building control regulations in place at the time. There is one clearly documented example of this in my constituency where something clearly went wrong. The reason we have watchdogs is not that we do not trust local authority staff but that a watchdog reduces the likelihood of problems arising. It is a little like the inspection regime for properties. We have increasingly strong requirements for the inspection of private rental properties and approved housing bodies, whereas local authorities are allowed to self-regulate in this area. This will also be the case in this area.