Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I am not persuaded by the Minister's argument. Amendment No. 47 in my name encompasses two pages of procedures on the completion of a development. A great deal of thought and work went into this by professionals in this area. The Minister says he has a great deal of sympathy with the notion of retaining a bond but he envisages a great many disputes as a result. This amendment address this very matter. It provides:

In the event of a dispute arising in relation to completion of the development, following issue of one or more of the notices referred to in this section, such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with dispute resolution provisions to be set down in regulations to be made by the Minister.

Is the Minister seriously telling the House that it is beyond his and his officials' capacity to make a regulation establishing a disputes-resolution mechanism that is fair and effective? I do not believe him. The Minister claims there could be much money, even €1 million or more, involved in these cases. With such amounts involved, I can assure the House a developer will see he gets his back even if it means finishing a development to a proper standard.

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