Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not agree with this amendment for practical reasons.We have all seen developments being undertaken and jobs being done by developers over the years. When developers are under pressure, they move around jobs. The longer we extend the period for completion and the more flexibility is given in that regard, the more a developer will move around sites. That means more pain for homeowners. The latter need certainty that their job will be done within a specified period. It is in the interest of homeowners to keep the period for commencement at 78 weeks rather than extending it. There is a massive amount of time within that to build any home, certainly at the magnitude of building in the case of the homes we are discussing. I do not support the amendment.