Video Link of Joan Burton TD questioning an Taoiseach
Transcript of Joan’s question.
Deputy Joan Burton: What is the current situation in regard to the long-promised legislation dealing with management companies? The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform circulated a two page letter which highlighted all the difficulties he has identified and all the different parties he has consulted, including builders and developers. It looks as if the prospect of getting this legislation in the lifetime of this Dáil is fading away.
In my constituency and in many others, tens of thousands of people, in particular young people, in negative equity are—–
An Ceann Comhairle: We are anticipating the legislation.
Deputy Joan Burton: —–living in managed developments where, typically, they are being charged large fees from €600 to €2,500 per year.
An Ceann Comhairle: I am advised the Bill is in the Seanad.
Deputy Joan Burton: Their apartments can get flooded and their roofs can get destroyed and they have no recourse. Has the Government a revised timeframe for introducing this legislation before this Dáil runs its course because very many people are very badly affected by its absence?
An Ceann Comhairle: The Bill is in the Seanad.
Deputy Joan Burton: It is really difficult. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform circulated a two page letter but it is a letter of despair because it seems to indicate that no resolution of this really pressing issue will be forthcoming while he is Minister.
The Taoiseach: Given the amount of interest articulated in the House on a constant basis in regard to this matter, the purpose of the correspondence was to bring people up to date as to what issues are being addressed. The purpose of the correspondence was to update Deputies in far greater detail than I would be able to give on the Order of Business on what exactly are the issues being addressed and considered.
I would like to see the legislation published and enacted as quickly as possible but it is being dealt with by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and it is a matter of priority. Unfortunately, because there are so many issues involved in terms of getting a coherent legislative outcome, it is complex and difficult to finalise. It is not a question of the Government being indifferent on the matter. We are proceeding with this issue as quickly as is possible.
Deputy Joan Burton: I thank the Taoiseach for the reply.
An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy has had a very good innings on the matter. We must move on.
Deputy Joan Burton: Does the Taoiseach have a timeframe for the legislation? We regularly deal with hundreds of thousands of people affected by the absence of legislation in this area, young homeowners in negative equity who are finding it extremely tough.