Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 June 2004

Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage.

 

7:00 pm

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State knows what I am saying. There are not many differences between us over this matter. I am sure we all agree it is totally inequitable and unacceptable that a small country such as ours should carry out the practice we have been discussing. It is not carried out in Dublin but only in pockets in the rest of the country, particularly Cork and Limerick. I am not saying a word against builders and developers and I accept the cowboys in this business comprise a tiny minority, but it is totally inequitable and unjust that citizens, particularly newly married couples, should be subjected to the practice.

I accept that hard cases make bad law. However, all of us, including the Minister of State's colleagues from Cork and Limerick, and with the exception of those of us from Dublin, have listened to countless cases in this regard in our clinics. We have noted that some citizens pay no more than 10%, at most, as a deposit on their houses and not another bob until they have possession of them, thus ensuring that the snag lists etc., are attended to before they pay the balance, while others, over a period of a year or more, will have paid up to 90%. They are crucified with interest and have to obtain bridging finance in some instances. They are in considerable difficulty and are at the mercy of the builder-developer in regard to the snag list. It is not proper that this discrepancy obtains. As I said earlier, the country is too small for this lack of uniformity and I am sure the Minister of State feels this himself.

I accept what the Minister of State said. If the experts say the Bill contains some drafting errors, let us take some time to deal with them before Committee Stage. Nobody will disagree with that. Second Stage should be passed so the Bill can be considered during the summer and autumn. Based on what everyone has said, we are all agreed on the principle on which there is no division in this House. The necessary time can be taken to fine tune whatever amendments the Minister of State believes appropriate.

The Minister of State said the Government wants to ensure house buyers get the best deal and that all necessary measures to protect consumers should be taken, as we all agree. We want the best deal for consumers and this is patently not the best deal. I believe the Minister of State and all Members opposite agree.

We should not divide on this issue on which we are ad idem. I accept the Minister's good nature and all he has said to me in our brief discussions in recent months. I make a final appeal not to divide the House. We should let the Bill survive and take as many months as the Minister of State needs. He can then return with the amendments the experts recommend and they will be accepted so the Bill can be passed unanimously.

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