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).