Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I speak in support of the general thrust of what has been said by previous speakers, including Deputy Colm Burke. There will of course be circumstances where families will not agree to sell a house, for various reasons. However, where families are in agreement that a house should be sold or leased, then that request should be honoured. No impediments should be placed in the way of families wishing to rent out a house for a good purpose. It would meet somebody else's housing requirements. I refer to a situation where there is agreement among the members of a family, including the person in the nursing home. Circumstances may arise where the person in a nursing home may not agree to sell a house but might agree to lease it or vice versa. I strongly support addressing whatever issues may arise in this regard, insofar as we can, to allow the greatest possible utilisation of vacant houses, whether that concerns a house on a farm, one associated with a business or whatever.