Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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I wish to signal that I propose to submit an amendment on Report Stage in relation to the inclusion of towns in this initiative. I tabled an amendment to last year's Finance Bill in regard to the inclusion of the town of Bray on the basis that there are far more properties in Bray town than in Kilkenny or Galway city. In my opinion, Bray town should have been selected before those two cities. I pointed this out to the Minister for Finance last year at which time he articulated the view which the Minister of State has just repeated, namely, that it is a targeted initiative. I believe that in terms of properties in need of repair, the eastern side of the town of Bray would benefit more from this scheme than would Galway or Kilkenny cities. I am not suggesting either of those cities should be excluded but I am intimately familiar with both of them and I do not believe they comprise as many derelict properties as the town of Bray. I would welcome if consideration could be given to the inclusion of Bray in this initiative which did not get seaside resort status over recent decades.