Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What Deputy Wallace proposes does not compare like with like. He compared the local property tax with the vacant site levy. To be clear, self-registration was an option for the local property tax because everyone was liable for the tax, whereas not everybody will be liable for the vacant site levy; it will only apply in certain cases, and selective criteria will apply. To expect everybody to understand the criteria that would apply and volunteer to levy themselves is untenable and would not work.

In a similar vein to the derelict sites levy or other processes, local authorities are housing authorities and, as such, when developing town and city development plans, are obliged to identify potential sites in their jurisdiction and then go through the process outlined to apply the designation as appropriate. The local authority, as the Deputy said, includes elected members, is the closest body to citizens, and is the best place to address the issue. As I said, they understand their development plans, know how their areas will develop and know what their priorities are. Therefore, they are best placed to identify these plans. Deputy Ellis mentioned that there would be engagement. Once a local authority identifies sites, it will be obliged to engage with owners in a proactive way to determine what the plans for the site are, and due process will then apply. That is the way the system should and will work.

For those reasons, we will oppose the amendment. It is not practical and proposes an inappropriate and unworkable approach. The process as outlined involves very clear criteria, which means that local authorities can apply them in a consistent manner across the board where they feel designations are required. We oppose the amendment on that basis.

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