Ivana Bacik (Independent)

To sum up the Minister's response to the two amendments, we have been too specific in amendment No. 42 and too general in amendment No. 12. However, I hope he accepts the policy interest I am expressing, which is to ensure the quality of life in apartments is improved and that environmental considerations are taken into account in their construction. I am glad to hear what he has to say about the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; these are among the issues that developers must take into account in constructing new complexes.

It occurred to me after the debate on Committee Stage that whenever I have stayed in an apartment in the US or Canada, there has generally been a basement area in the apartment block containing a communal laundry facility and, often, communal drying space. Unfortunately, when basements are built in apartment complexes in Ireland, they tend to house underground car parks and there is no space for communal laundry or drying facilities. This is perhaps a commentary on the priorities we have had in the past, but I hope this will change. I am glad we have had a debate on this issue and I hope the need for environmental considerations to be taken into account will be considered in the construction of apartment complexes.

I will not press the amendment as I take the Minister's point that this might give rise to difficulties in interpretation. However, perhaps the Labour Party contributors in the Dáil will be able to tweak the amendment in some way to ensure it meets the Minister's concerns.