Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise two issues with the Leader with a view to having a debate on them and getting answers from the relevant Ministers. The first concerns homeowners who are facing increasing and mounting bills from their management companies for retrospective work being done on their homes and apartments. For example, in one building in Newbridge, over 30 homeowners have to pay for fire upgrade and compartment wall safety. The initial bill is running at around €3,500 per homeowner, and now they have been told that they will face another bill of almost of €4,000 in January or February. The management company wants the money to be paid up front before the work begins and no instalment options are being offered. So far, the cost of the work being done to this building is in the region of €120,000. These apartments were built in 2005, and homeowners are struggling to come up with the money for the necessary upgrades. My colleague, Senator Moynihan, raised this issue at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage last week, but I would appreciate the chance to discuss the issue with the Minister if he will come to the House.

The second issue I wish to highlight was highlighted by RTÉ over the weekend. I have received a large number of representations and contacts on it since then. It concerns allowing live music bands to perform at weddings now that we are back under level 3 restrictions. I have been contacted by the Wedding Band Association, which was formed in 2014 and represents many of Ireland's wedding bands. The guidelines which state that live music and dancing are not permitted have caused major concern for its members, and of course has completely devastated couples who are due to get married in the coming weeks. Members of the Wedding Band Association have completed Covid officer training courses, and many have been performing at weddings since last July. We are all aware of the amount of planning that goes into that special big day for so many couples. Many of them are unsure if they can have live music at their weddings for the months ahead. Wedding guest lists have been limited to 25, and that has been accepted by couples the length and breadth of the country, but not having live music is a major concern and disappointment for those planning their big day, because it is, after all, such an integral part of any wedding. I ask the Leader to consider my points.