During the Order of Business in the Dáil this week, Joan again raised the issue with Taoiseach Brian Cownen about the lack of any urgency been shown by the Government in bringing legislation on the regulation of Management Companies before the House.
Deputy Joan Burton: This is the Taoiseach’s third last day doing the Order of Business before the summer recess.
Deputy Joan Burton: I think this is the Taoiseach’s third last day on the Order of Business before the summer recess. I want to raise the issue of the tens of thousands people in estates, whether in apartment blocks or individual houses, who are subject to management companies. The Bill that came before the House has never been completed. In many cases—–
An Ceann Comhairle: Have you spoken with your party Whip?
Deputy Joan Burton: Yes, just bear with me for a moment. The builders and developers who control the management companies are gone bust. In many cases, they are living in the south of Spain or some other sunny spot away from their creditors, and people are stuck in situations and they cannot get out of them.
An Ceann Comhairle: You can have a debate on the Bill when it commences.
Deputy Joan Burton: This is a serious human problem. We had long debates yesterday about other issues. This affects tens of thousands of young families.
An Ceann Comhairle: You are completely out of order on the Order of Business.
Deputy Joan Burton: They cannot sell their properties and move on.
An Ceann Comhairle: There are other ways to make this point. We will have a debate on the legislation at some stage.
Deputy Joan Burton: Where is the Multi-Unit Development Bill 2009?
An Ceann Comhairle: You cannot seek information like this on the Order of Business.
Deputy Joan Burton: I want to ask the Taoiseach about a second related issue. There were widespread reports in the media that the Government was giving consideration to a package or a system that would enable somebody to move their negative equity from their first mortgage to a subsequent mortgage. How could they conceivably do that when most of those people are in managed estates?
An Ceann Comhairle: You are completely out of order. Have we promised legislation in this area, Taoiseach?
Deputy Joan Burton: It is not technically possible. Does the Government have legislation for people who are stuck in a first property and who for a variety of reasons—–
An Ceann Comhairle: Deputy, please.
Deputy Joan Burton: This was in the media at the weekend and was reported as Government policy.
An Ceann Comhairle: Some co-operation with the Chair would be appreciated.
Deputy Joan Burton: I am co-operating with you, but this is the third last occasion before the recess I can raise this really important issue for tens of thousands of young home owners.
An Ceann Comhairle: Will you submit an item for consideration the Adjournment? Will you submit a parliamentary question next week?
Deputy Joan Burton: I have had it on the Adjournment five times. I want an update. When will the multi-unit development legislation actually go through this House?
The Taoiseach: It is on Second Stage (Resumed) at the moment.
Deputy Bernard J. Durkan: When will it be finished?
Deputy Pat Rabbitte: I want to raise the same issue. This Bill did not get beyond the Minister’s speech on Second Stage. The Taoiseach has promised on a number of occasions that we would deal with this. If we could finish Second Stage, we could take Committee Stage of the Bill in July. The matter is extremely urgent for all the reasons the Taoiseach knows. That would require the Taoiseach to provide time next Friday or the following Friday in order to allow Deputies on this side of the House to speak on the Bill and to let the Bill reach Committee Stage in July and early September.
The Taoiseach: These are matters for the Whip. The Whip has set out what he is seeking to achieve for the remainder of this session. I am not sure whether that can accommodate what Deputy Rabbitte is seeking, but these are matters for the Whips to discuss.
Deputy Pat Rabbitte: This has been going on for about six years in the House. The Taoiseach has committed on a number of occasions to seeing it through this term. There is no provision in the schedule as it stands. In advance of the final week’s business, there is no reason we cannot sit on the Friday to dispose of what is a very urgent issue.