Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a problem with this because a lot of communities do not have organised residents’ associations. I said this the other day and somebody disagreed me, but I am going only on my personal experience. In some communities, there is a lot of social housing and people are busy with young families, while in others, there might be a lot of retired professionals who have more time, resources and ability.

Many community associations like that fought for years, and had the membership and the right constitution. It is different, however, if you are trying to put a group together. For example, a number of years ago, a new prison was built in The Glen, Cork city. It was done by an Act of the Oireachtas that took it out of the planning process. I accept that was a different situation, but the point is that community did not have an overarching residents' association. If something like that was to happen now, members of the community would not be able to take a legal challenge.