Deputy Joan Burton today challenged the Minister for Finance in the Dáil today on when the Government was due to legislate for property management companies. The Government have been saying for well over a year now that this urgent issue will be dealt with ‘as soon as possible’, yet there is still no sign of the legislation. The Minister gave no indication as to when the legislation would be finalised.

Deputy Joan Burton: I ask the Minister for Finance – the previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform – what the timeframe is for legislation relating to property management companies.

This issue is very difficult for tens of thousands of people who are in properties subject to property management companies. They cannot even address matters where there are serious defects in a property, as there are in many such properties. These people have no legal remedy to take control of the management company and get work done. Many people are sitting in property managed by companies who cannot sell their properties because of defects in the structures.

Can the Minister tell us what the Government intends to do?

Deputy Brian Lenihan: Options are being considered in consultation with the relevant Departments and the Attorney General as to whether it would be more expeditious to introduce a single Bill or to adopt a sectoral approach to amending existing legislation. A Government decision on the matter will be made on the basis of how quickly the required legislation can be enacted. The main features of the legislation were outlined in a strategy on foot of a Government decision taken on 23 September this year.

This legislation will be prepared by the Government as soon as possible.