Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ellis. I will begin by responding to his final question on how long it will take for a Bill to be enacted by the Oireachtas. If the urgency of the situation is taken into account, this can be done quickly. We have previously sat long nights to assist other sectors. There is a significant responsibility on the Oireachtas to help and assist people who are in dire housing circumstances. When there is all-party support and universal weight behind a proposal such as this, it is incumbent on us to ensure this happens as soon as practicable. We must extract such a commitment from the Department when it comes before us. The Government had committed to bringing forward a strategy in March 2017, and I assume it is in the offing, both the Minister and the Government have acknowledged they will work with this Bill as part of their response to addressing the issue. I take that at face value and with the best of good faith. I look forward to that being realised.

In response to the Deputy's query on basement properties and the properties in his constituency, particularly in Ballymun, that should be explored. I am not precious about anything in the Bill and I am open to suggestions on improvements. We can discuss use of space over the shop as well as under the shop. We can at least make recommendations as a committee for further legislation to address the vacant commercial units that exist in towns, villages and in the city centres where the envisaged use has not materialised and there is a pressing need for residential use. Every effort should be made to accommodate change of use in a fast-track manner without compromising any standards.

In response to Deputy Ellis' question on whether I had discussed the issue with local officials and management, yes, I have and there is support and a commitment to it. There is the greater potential for dealing with insurance and latent defects than is the case at present. We should be conscious of that and it would lessen the financial burden that may accrue to local authorities under the present system in the event off a claim. That is my fear about the present certification inspection system. This Bill addresses that problem too and ensures that insurance cover is much more forthcoming than is the situation at present.