Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

In our opinion the existence of a management company for a development should not override the legal obligation on developers to complete and maintain estates until they are taken in charge. We have heard that some local authorities have been attaching conditions beyond what is allowed by the law and we have commenced a survey to ascertain what is happening. It is not acceptable that this should be happening for traditional housing estates. Planning law should be applied in a consistent manner. We are researching what is happening.

Local councillors have some responsibility. Deputy Penrose said councillors have been vigilant in Westmeath but that is the responsibility of every councillor on every council. Last night Deputy Stagg mentioned Kildare County Council and how it seems to have gone off on a tangent.

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