Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I welcome that. There is a need to address that area where there are anomalies. Some management companies exert influence beyond what was intended, sometimes to the detriment of the people who have purchased properties. When it is being examined there is a need to look at interim arrangements whereby the developer controls the management company until all the apartments in a development have been purchased, and sometimes beyond that. Service charges are often unrealistic and there are sometimes contingent liabilities to be made subsequently. I welcome the fact that the Minister is examining the issue as it warrants a degree of evaluation.