Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader organise a debate on a recent publication from the National Consumer Agency dealing with buying and living in multi-unit development properties in Ireland. I support the comments of Senators Kett and Hannigan in seeking a debate, especially on management charges. I have met with many young people in recent months who have, unfortunately, found themselves made redundant. Such people are living in properties, as Senator Kett pointed out, that are no longer worth the same as their mortgages. They find that management charges have increased, in some cases by 80%. I am familiar with people who have found themselves paying a charge 80% in excess of the charges of previous years. If such people do not pay the charge on time, interest is charged by the management company, which is very unfair. This practice is putting them under significant pressure and deeper and deeper into debt. I support the calls for a debate and perhaps it could be held in the wider context of the contents of the National Consumer Agency publication.