Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I thank Senator Walsh sincerely for the two minutes and promise Senator Hannigan that I will not eat into his time. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and have a number of queries I wish to raise. While I have raised them with the Minister's office, which is working on them, I wish to put them on the record because I will deal with them on Committee Stage.

I welcome the Bill, which is very positive and does things as they should be done. However, although the same issues apply to estates, this Bill only applies to apartment buildings. The definition states: ""multi-unit development" means land on which there stands erected a building which, or a part of which ... is divided into units". Consequently, houses in housing estates would not be covered by this Bill. This has been brought to my attention by a number of people who believe that situation also should be covered. I acknowledge the Minister's office is working on this issue and I would appreciate a response from the Minister of State in this regard.

The other issue I wish to raise concerns the rules for the management committee and the basis on which they are set up. Are those rules and regulations, or their articles of association or whatever we might call them, lodged in any particular way? That is crucial.

I would also like to ask about the process used to establish the fee. The budgeting system is done very well. It is important that it is done in the way that is outlined. I have some experience in this area. I have a property in France. I am a member of a co-proprietorship of eight houses. All the things provided for in this legislation are done as part of that. They have additional powers as well. I will bring them into the discussion on Committee Stage. I would like to get some clarification on whether this legislation can be extended to cover ordinary detached or semi-detached houses in housing estates as opposed to apartments in apartment blocks.