Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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The next question is one I raise at every meeting. It relates to derelict or vacant properties. There are between 98,000 to 166,000 of such properties depending on where you get your figures from. This is a consequence of some construction. If you want to develop a site, but right next to it is a derelict property that has been there for years, to develop properties you want to develop the whole area. We have a shortfall of people in the construction sector. However, we have an abundance of vacant or derelict properties. Surely to God the emphasis should be to turn those properties around. That would deliver housing more quickly, it would be better for the environment and would also maximise the amount of construction workers we have to get the biggest output. The big issue I have is that some developers and speculators are sitting on properties and leaving them vacant and derelict for years. Is there anything we can put into the legislation in this regard?

That is going to be important if we want to solve the housing crisis. Would any of our guests like to comment on that point?