Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to clarify for the Deputy that the definition of "home" in the section he refers to refers to a dwelling where a person ordinarily resides or lives. Essentially, he is right that we do not want to target a home where somebody is living. The Deputy made some points regarding other jurisdictions where there are vacant houses in which no one is living. I know where he is coming from and that he wants to get them back into use. However, in the Irish situation, we would be in danger of contravening Article 43 of the Constitution which refers to property rights and the right of people to own property. I am not sure that we could introduce here provisions applying in other jurisdictions without a change in the Constitution. We would be happy to clarify it for the Deputy, but I think that is the position.