John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With respect to Government Deputies, it disturbs and upsets me in debates in this Chamber when the Government refuses to accept legislation proposed by Opposition Deputies who have invested a great deal of effort and thought in producing their Bills. It takes a similar position on Opposition amendments to Government Bills and I am tired of this approach. It calls to mind the debate on recognising Travellers as an ethnic group when Government Deputies made passionate speeches in favour of recognition before voting against the proposal. What is that about? Where is the principle in it? I do not understand that approach.

According to the Minister of State, the "primary purpose of the 2011 Act was to reform the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments". As Deputy Catherine Murphy stated, the problem with the Act is the way in which the definition of multi-unit developments is being interpreted. It appears to include conventional housing such as semi-detached homes, terraced housing and duplex complexes.

I note briefly regarding management companies an article in a newspaper some weeks ago on the very grave difficulties approximately 12,000 people were having with management companies, including poor communication, bad tenant screening, cutting corners rather than costs and unclear accounting. I am taken aback. Everything that can possibly be said has been said by Deputy Catherine Murphy and I do not understand why the Minister of State cannot take the Bill back to have someone look at where the fault appears to be.

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