Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 19 November 2019

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government

Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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We discussed this at length and I know the Minister's officials said it was not their intention. However, section 11, as drafted, givescarte blancheto the Minister to impose or propose any fees. It states: "...determine the fees to be paid to it in relation to the performance, by or on behalf of it, of its functions." This was a concern raised with me and other members in regard to cost issues for AHBs. I will also oppose this section. It would be interesting to hear the Minister's response. We discussed this at a previous committee hearing. Why does he believe the section needs to be as it is if the intention is not to charge additional fees?