Ms Jude Sherry:

It should not be a barrier any more. Louth has already shown what is possible. I think the latest figures show that Limerick council is applying a CPO to over 300 properties and bringing those buildings to a builder-ready state and selling them on the market, recouping costs and using that to fund further CPOs. There are successful models out there that should be shared with all local authorities. Those excuses cannot be used any more.

CPOs have a higher success rate than many people expected but they are not ideal for all buildings. We are calling for other measures, such as compulsory sale orders whereby a property is put on the market. If a building is derelict in England, they go in and make it safe and then put it up for auction. They keep the costs of the repairs required and whatever is left over goes back to the owner. There are similar compulsory sale orders in Scotland. That is something that can be combined.

We are also calling for compulsory rental orders for empty habitable homes. Such orders are in place in Amsterdam and Barcelona. Instead of habitable homes, especially new builds, sitting empty for years, they can be put back into use straight away, perhaps with council tenants.