Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

They have been mentioned elsewhere. Under this system, in the example illustrated by the Taoiseach these particular developers would get fees for 20 years. The inequity is compounded by the fact that management companies' contracts are presented to young house buyers at the same time as they sign contracts for their new homes. That is a time of immense stress and the contracts are signed under duress because the people involved need a home.

I sound a warning to the Taoiseach. At this stage this might affect tens of thousands of homes and residents. It is becoming a serious issue. Deputy Catherine Murphy, Independent Deputies, other Deputies and I will make this a major issue in the near future and in the lead up to the next election. Thousands of young home owners tell us they cannot endure the situation and they cannot afford the current levels. Those levels will become intolerable because when the sewage and water systems will need major refurbishment in ten or 15 years time, the home owners will be saddled with these debts. We want them abolished and that is what I want to hear from the Taoiseach.

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