Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Section 4 imposes an obligation on a developer to transfer the common areas in substantially completed developments to the owners' management company within six months of the enactment of legislation. I do not perceive any need to delay such a transfer by requiring certification by a professional person. There is a risk that this would provide an excuse for the developer not to proceed with the transfer of the common areas as is required and mandated by section 4. It probably would merely delay the issue.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Government amendment No. 33:

In page 6, line 26, to delete "and the ownership of the common areas" and substitute the following:

"and the ownership of the relevant parts of the common areas or the reversion in the units concerned".

Amendment agreed to.

Section 4, as amended, agreed to.

SECTION 5.