Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The advice of the Office of the Attorney General was taken on this point. I have some sympathy for the proposal, but it is a case of where do we draw the line. With regard to due consideration being given to the type and size of the unit owned, it would be necessary to take into account the fact that one unit had a bigger balcony; that one unit had a sea view whereas another did not; that one unit had a view of the back, while another had a view to the front. It would be preferable, therefore, to leave it the way it is which, as acknowledged by Senator Bacik, encompasses what we are trying to do, that the service charge will be calculated on a transparent basis and will be equitably apportioned between unit owners. It has to be said this issue has not been raised by any of the representative bodies. It may not be satisfactory to the Senators who have tabled the amendment, but I will look at it between now and Report Stage in the Dáil and perhaps liaise with some of the interested representative groups. However, they have not raised the issue with me. The Bill provides sufficient safeguards to achieve what we are trying to do. It might become overly complex and complicated if we were too prescriptive regarding what considerations should be taken into account.