Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

I thank our spokesperson, Deputy Gilmore, for raising this important matter. I also acknowledge the points consistently raised by my constituency colleague, Deputy Catherine Murphy, and Deputy Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party on this matter in the House.

The Labour Party tabled the motion in response to widespread concern that management companies, which were intended to deal with the common areas of apartment blocks, are being applied to newly completed or not fully completed housing estates. The Labour Party believes that section 34(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 is being misused and abused by county managers to force new owners to sign up to management companies which bring them no benefits and they must pay through the nose for the privilege.

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