Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

We are carrying out a survey to see exactly what is happening. The law applies to us all. It is clear and should be applied. If people are trying to evade it, we should identify them and take appropriate action.

Apartment living is relatively new and we must adjust to it and get our laws in order. The Government has and will continue to take the necessary action. We have given local authorities the power to deal properly with housing estates and to take them in charge.

Going back to the Bill that was proposed last year, I hear what Deputy Penrose is saying. My regard for the legal profession might not be what it should be but the action we took in the original legislation was based on legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General. I may not always defend the legal profession but we cannot easily ignore such advice.

See this speech in context