Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Is it possible to go a step further than the 2009 legislation that the Minister of State just quoted? Can the provision "to hereby instruct local authorities from here on to retain the funds for the purposes provided for in the previous Act" be included? The provision needs to be strengthened rather than await ministerial approval.

Is there no provision in the Bill for the purchase of units from bodies other than local authorities or housing associations? It is an issue that must be addressed, as people must be allowed to step up and purchase units rather than continuing a never-ending rental agreement.