Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 17, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “Review of amendments effected by this Act

22.(1) The Minister shall—

(a) not later than 18 months after the commencement of this section, commence a review of the operation of the amendments effected to the Principal Act by this Act, and

(b) not later than 12 months after the commencement of a review under paragraph (a), or on the completion of the review, whichever is the earlier, prepare a report, in writing, of the findings of the review and of the conclusions drawn from those findings and cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(2) In conducting a review under this section, the Minister shall consult with the Board and such other persons as the Minister considers appropriate for the purpose of the review.”.

I thank Deputies O'Reilly and Shanahan for their engagement with me and my officials since Committee Stage. Deputy Shanahan was particularly keen that we introduce a review provision in the Bill. I note he has his own amendment which he will move shortly. Having engaged with the Deputies and the Office of the Attorney General on the matter, I have decided that a review mechanism, considering the new provisions introduced by the Bill, as proposed by Deputy Shanahan, is appropriate. This amendment introduces a new section 22 which provides for a ministerial review of the new provisions contained in the Bill 18 months following its commencement.

Section 22 also provides for the laying of a report on the review before both Houses of the Oireachtas within 12 months of the review being commenced. In conducting the review, section 22 provides that the board and other appropriate persons shall be consulted. The text of the amendment is based on recent provisions contained in section 4 of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 and is appropriate to the new functions provided to the board by the Bill.

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