1.— (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“ the Act of 1979” means the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979;

“ the Act of 1988” means the Housing Act, 1988;

F1 [ “ approved housing body “ has the meaning given to it by the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019; ]

F2 [ “ Central Bank “ means the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland; ]

“ functions” includes powers and duties;

“ house” includes any building or part of a building used or suitable for use as a dwelling and any outoffice, yard, garden or other land appurtenant thereto or usually enjoyed therewith and “ housing” shall be construed accordingly;

“ housing authority” has the meaning assigned to it by section 23 ;

“ the Housing Finance Agency plc” means the company formerly known as the Housing Finance Agency which was established under section 2 of the Housing Finance Agency Act, 1981;

F3 [ “ improvement notice “ has the meaning given to it by section 18A ; ]

“ improvement works” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(1) of the Act of 1979;

F4 [ “ local authority “ means a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014); ]

“ the Minister” means the Minister for the Environment;

“ prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;

“ the Principal Act” means the Housing Act, 1966;

F3 [ “ prohibition notice “ has the meaning given to it by section 18B ; ]

“ shared ownership lease” has the meaning assigned to it by section 2 .

(2) In this Act, a reference to a section is to a section of this Act and a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that a reference to some other enactment or provision, as may be appropriate, is intended.

(3) A reference in this Act to an enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment (including this Act).