Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the previous speakers. Timing is crucial. I understand and totally agree that we must have regulatory requirements in respect of building control, conservation, disability access and fire safety, but we have a housing crisis, with more than 230,000 vacant properties from houses to apartments and flats. People do not understand this. I told the Chairman this morning that, according to a survey, 70% of Irish people have no faith in the Government's housing policies. Driving down a street, I sees boarded up houses and apartments. Why, when so many people are homeless, can we not deal with this? A one-stop shop would have all the different agencies working together to solve this.

Like other speakers, I was a councillor for years and worked through the local authority. In my dealings with people seeking to avail of the repair and leasing scheme, it was clear it did not work. It has a very poor uptake because it is not working, even for people trying to qualify for it. In my area, Carlow, I have made several representations for people. They are not qualifying for the scheme. There is the vacant site levy, which I think will come into force on 1 June 2018, and the buy and renew scheme, but what we need is everyone working together.

The Bill deals with commercial and residential. We need to make sure our urban areas and town centres are brought back into use, and I believe the Bill can do that. The witnesses are dealing with professionals. They are all professionals in their Department on building control, disability access and fire safety. We are dealing with professionals. If they all get together and cannot work on something like this, it is not good. All the very professional agencies such as the Department working together can deliver on this.

The sad thing is that should have happened a long time ago because things are not getting better, there now are more vacant properties and action needs to be taken. Timing is crucial.

The witnesses have said the Department is working with the working groups, which I welcome because it is vital that everybody works together. However, we do not want to meet again in six months or a year and for nothing to have been done. I ask that the witnesses to work on this issue. Fire safety and planning are crucial but they are all professionals and should be able to ensure that is done.