Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions on this matter. They are correct on the importance of language in legislation. This is not an issue of principle but a legal issue in terms of the direction given on the Planning and Development Acts. I agree to take another look at the amendment.

I propose to accept amendment No. 12, which was touched on by Senator Higgins, to show our commitment to working on this area. I genuinely have heard what Senators have said and I know language is important. I will try to resolve the matter and will come back to the House on it.

Amendment No. 17 proposes adding a new section to section 6 requiring housing authorities, when providing affordable dwellings under that section, to have regard to the appropriateness of the location of dwellings in respect of facilitating access to public transport, education services, health services and public amenities. This is a planning issue that will fall under and be dealt with in the development consent system, that is, the planning application for a planning permission procedure under Part 8 of the planning regulations. I do not consider this amendment necessary.

Amendment No. 23 seeks to add a condition to section 7, the direct sales agreement, that eligible applicants nominated by a housing authority will be owner-occupiers. I do not consider this amendment necessary as section 12(7)(h) provides that the affordable dwelling purchase agreement must contain a covenant "requiring that unless the housing authority gives its prior written consent, the affordable dwelling shall be occupied as the normal place of residence of the homeowner or of a member of the homeowner’s household".

Amendment No. 36 seeks to amend section 10 to require that persons making the application for affordable dwelling purchase agreements "make a declaration of their intent to be owner-occupiers of the affordable dwelling for such a period as might be specified by the Minister”. For the reason just set out, I do not consider the amendment necessary.