Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)

With regard to a public order and illegal occupations Bill, in my constituency large tracts of land which now belong to NAMA or public authorities are lying derelict. I have tried to ask yourself, a Cheann Comhairle and the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Justice and Law Reform if they are considering legislation on the illegal occupation of lands which are now in the NAMA portfolio and which are causing grave distress to residents, mortgage payers and young people who are in negative equity and trying to pay their mortgages. The Garda Síochána seem not to have the requisite legislative authority to end illegal occupations, particularly where there are housing programmes for all citizens in an area. Does the Tánaiste have an opinion on the need to strengthen legislation on the illegal occupation of lands, specifically lands in the NAMA portfolio or former development lands of local authorities? Some people seem to think they can walk in and take them over.

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