Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

These amendments are good. One of the major weaknesses in the Derelict Sites Act 1990 is the amount of time it takes for its provisions to kick in. Deputy Michelle Mulherin made a good point earlier about a pensioner who owns a derelict site and does not have the means to develop it. There is a clause to cater for that.

However, some owners with the means can drag it out, leading the local authorities around in circles. I have been engaged with the Derelict Sites Act over the years and it has been the bane of my life at times. I do not want to see the same dragging out over time occur with this legislation. To allow until January 2017 to establish a register or 2018 to given written notice or 2019 for the payment of arrears is just too long. We have to tighten these up because some developers will drag it out forever and a day, making the legislation ineffectual.