Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. The first part of the response is fair enough but I have a different view of the latter part. I do not think people who are looking to buy a home at the moment are necessarily aware of these issues. I know the Minister of State is saying we need to create an awareness but if those looking to buy a home, particularly now, manage to get mortgage approval and find somewhere suitable to live that they can afford within their mortgage approval, with everything falling into place, they are not likely to then turn around and ask if there is latent defects insurance in place and, if not, to pull out of buying. An awful lot of providers simply do not have latent defects insurance and potential buyers are not in a position of sufficient power to be able to insist on it.

I accept that my amendment may not be the correct way of dealing with this but we need to get to a position where latent defects insurance is required. Unfortunately, it has not been driven from consumer or lending institution quarters. I wish it had been and I wish it was commonplace as a result. One would think that after everything that has happened, it would be commonplace but it is not. In that context, a legislative solution is required. I am interested in hearing the Minister of State's thoughts on the general point.