Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am surprised by the Minister of State's response because the last time I questioned her on this issue, she understood it. Perhaps she has got a briefing since that has said the opposite. My deeds are held by the bank and not a solicitor as is the case with the vast majority of mortgage holders in this country. There are estates where developers still own quite a number of houses and where houses may be held by NAMA or a receiver. Where works are completed, surely it is in everyone's interest that an estate is taken in charge. I can give the Minister of State instances in my constituency where estates have been completed for a number of years but the residents have not been able to get the majority of the owners of those properties to sign a petition to have the estate taken in charge. In those instances, the developer has gone into liquidation so it is not possible for the developer to do so. A limbo-type situation has been created because of the change in the legislation. All I am asking is that this amendment to the legislation is reversed to facilitate the taking in charge of these estates, which was the objective of the amendment in the first place.

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