John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister of State and I hope he will. I can only emphasise that at times some of us here do what we think is right not for ourselves or the Opposition but for the country. If one looks at what Deputy Catherine Murphy has done and the intricate detail she has gone into, there are areas that are faulty. It is obvious and legal views support that. I appeal to the Minister of State to allow this to be debated further as he has said he will. Let us put table some amendments and listen to what has to be said. This is not a question of the Government accepting amendments from us and that being one up for the Opposition. That is not what we are about here. Some of us are here to do what we think is right and good. At times, if we think the Government is right, we will support it. We must look at that.

We must look at management companies. There are grave difficulties with management companies and how they are structured and organised and continue to operate. I gave examples. I was looking at something on the Internet before I came to the Chamber. I searched for "problems with management companies" and found that thousands of people are saying they have them. There are problems of poor communications and bad screening of tenants. The worry is that so much power will be taken away from the individual living in some of these areas. They are not sure any more based on the history of management companies how it will affect their lives.

I take on board what the Minister of State says. Deputy Murphy's Bill is brilliant. She has put a lot of effort, thought and cost into it and further debate would be worthwhile. I trust the Minister of State will do what he says. Let it be debated and if the Minister of State then feels it is unacceptable, that will be fine. At least listen to what we have to say and take that on board.

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