Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I move amendment No. 1:

In page 6, lines 29 and 30, to delete “other than land owned by a housing authority”.

Section 4 sets out the land to which the vacant site levy will apply, and an amendment is required to the application provided in the published Bill. It currently provides that the levy shall apply to residential land or regeneration land other than land owned by a housing authority.

Amendment No. 1 provides that this latter exemption will now no longer apply to such land by the removal of the text “other than land owned by a housing authority”. This means that all residential or regeneration land, regardless of ownership, be it public or private, will be subject to the levy if it meets the criteria for a vacant site as provided for in section 5. This will ensure that all owners of vacant sites will be treated equally. For example, local authorities will have the same responsibilities under this legislation as private land owners. Accordingly, it will also encourage local authorities that may be in possession of suitable sites for the provision of housing to develop those sites.

In this regard, I have considered the comments and contributions of Deputies. Deputy Mulherin felt quite strongly about this on Second Stage debate. This amendment will allow for the application of the vacant site levy in a fair and equitable manner to all owners of vacant sites, either public or private.