Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would also like to be associated with the welcome for the Polish ambassador and his distinguished guests to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. They are welcome.

I propose a vote of sympathy to the D'Arcy family on the death of Michael D'Arcy Snr., who was a Member of both this House and the Dáil. He was Minister of State, a TD and a Senator. I served in this House with him for a number of years and he was a hardworking Senator, Deputy and Minister of State back in the eighties. His son Michael D'Arcy Jnr. also served in this House as well as the Dáil. I am sure we will have a day in the future to express our condolences to the family.

I raise an issue concerning the Department of Transport, which acquires routes for upgrading roads and national primary and secondary routes. In doing that it acquires some houses. They are not demolished, but they are taken because of their close proximity to the routes designed. Those houses could be put back into use. I would like to know what the Department of Transport is doing with those houses. Does the local authority acquire those houses on behalf of the Department of Transport? I know there is a number of them lying idle around the country. We have a housing crisis. Those are fine houses - often two-storey houses in good nick - which families moved out of until these projects were completed. With a little money, those houses could be put back into use. They could be sold to families that are much in need of housing. I would like if we could contact the Department of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, about this issue. I have raised this before, but nothing seems to be happening on it. I wish the Acting Leader well in her new role, and ask her to contact the Department about this issue.