Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, Chair, I want to make a brief comment. I know the building and it is an eyesore. In fairness to this lady, she has ticked every box that she is supposed to and she does not seem to be getting any help, at any angle. We are the petitions committee - the last resort. Could we also write to the relevant Minister and flag this lady's case? We need to find out, once and for all, who is actually responsible for it. If they have already made contact with the owners of that derelict building and no progress is being made, then surely there is either a criminal procedure there or there is a major health and safety incident that could happen. I can understand that it causes mental distress when that is a supporting wall for the other house. Would it be okay for the committee to flag it up with the relevant Minister as well as Cork County Council? We need to find out who is actually responsible for this. We should at least get an answer for the petitioner in order that she will know where to go. There has to be some kind of repercussion here. If people do not engage with the authorities, that property will go from an eyesore to a very dangerous building. That is when the crop will hit the fan, when nobody will be accountable for somebody getting hurt or killed.