Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for acknowledging the local authority effort and what the Minister is doing. Based on the present report of the Director of Consumer Affairs, we will see if there is a legislative mechanism to deal with this issue. It is under examination in both the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I do not know if there is an easy legal remedy, but I understand clearly the point that is being made by many groups regarding the period in which they were caught. I am not sure where that examination is in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government — the Deputy can table a question to the Minister. We will see if there is a legislative way to deal with it because I understand the difficulties it has created for several thousand people. I am not sure if it is that enormous a number, but it certainly covers quite a sizeable number.

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