Mr. Brian Lambe:

Clúid has about 4,000 units that are connected to OMCs, so that is about 200 OMCs nationally. It is a mixed bag in terms of the challenges those OMCs face. Each one has its own little make-up in terms of the unit type, the stakeholders, etc. In terms of day-to-day challenges, the thing that continues to strike me is general awareness for members. My strong sense is that people buying apartments or houses within OMCs are not fully aware of the ramifications of that. From the outset, there is that knowledge gap when it comes to what purchasing this property means, the conditions in a lease, etc. If and when a regulator in place, I would be supportive of a wider awareness campaign because, as we know, there will be an increase in multi-unit developments and people going in with their eyes open will help with engagement as well. The Deputy mentioned AGMs and voting.

In Ireland, a big majority of apartment owners are investors or landlords, so there is straight away a minority of owner-occupiers. We have that knowledge gap. To the Deputy's point earlier, there is a real need to engage all member types, including pension trusts, investment trusts, approved housing bodes, AHBs, etc., because it is becoming more and more of a mixed bag. Education and awareness are one piece.

Mr. Montague touched on the whole role of volunteer directors. In Clúid, I take on directorships; I am skilled enough and have time to do that. However, the vast majority of others do not have training made available to them. They do not have the time. Much of the time, it is down to goodwill, so there is a lot that is needed for volunteer directors. For example, large projects such as remediating defects or, as in our case on Clarion Quay, fire remediation projects are big, expensive and complicated projects and they ultimately sit with the board of an OMC. That poses challenges and risks that are actually making it more onerous for people who might want to step up and play a more active role in their companies but are put off by the risks and rigours of company law, etc.