“Despite promises both before the last general election, and even more intense promises in the run up to the recent local elections, people living in managed developments, whether apartments or traditional houses, are going to have to wait an awful lot longer for legislation to control their management companies.

“New legislation is needed to give owners and residents real influence in the management Company.

“It is absolutely essential that the new legislation, when it does finally see the light of day, is not limited only to new developments. This would be a real sucker-punch for the many families and individuals currently paying sky-high management fees for often sub-standard services.

“Despite Fianna Fail’s proposed legislation have passed through the Seanad, it appears from correspondence received by the Labour Party that the Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, has initiated a fresh consultation process. In particular, he is consulting the Irish Homebuilders Association, and the Irish Property Facilities Management Association, but does not appear to be consulting with any of the people who actually live in managed developments.

“It seems extraordinary that Fianna Fail appears to have caved in yet again to the interests of developers over those of the residents who have bought in to managed estates.

“These developers made hay on the backs of a lot of ordinary people when the property boom was at its height. Now that the property boom is over, many developers are unwilling to deal with legacy issues in relation to managed estates.

“Fianna Fáil clearly has no will to address this important area of reform.

As part of their deal with Fianna Fáil, the Green Party promised to act to ensure that this much needed reform took place with Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, being particularly vocal on the issue. None the less they seem powerless to influence their Fianna Fáil colleagues in Government.”