Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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It is a no-brainer to turn those back into residential. It is a big issue in the centre of towns, given the number of buildings. In fairness, local authorities around the country are doing fantastic work.

The other big issue is a lack of infrastructure, primarily as regards wastewater, which Mr. Taaffe mentioned. Last week, I tabled a question in the Dáil on a modular certified wastewater treatment system. Could such systems be rolled out throughout the country? I believe they could. I am aware of a number of housing developments that would be granted planning were it not the case that, unfortunately, the wastewater treatment systems were up to capacity. If this system was used, the discharge could be let go to the wastewater treatment systems in place. In Arklow where 200 houses were to be developed, the development was held up because the capacity was not there in the wastewater treatment plant. If a modular system could be rolled out around the country, could it be a way of unlocking some development, especially in rural parts? We are well aware of the shortage of wastewater treatment plants in rural parts. Could this system be used going forward?