Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I mentioned the issue of vacant properties in my question and we would like those types of properties to be taken in hand. We need some kind of imaginative examination of the situation to give some indication to people being made homeless that the Government is doing something to find a solution. We want some indication vulture funds are not just being allowed to come in and sweep up these properties. Our nearest neighbour across the pond has proposed legislation in this regard now. Are we just going to wring our hands and accuse people like Deputy Michael McGrath who introduced this type of Bill last night of scaremongering while doing nothing ourselves? We cannot sit idly by any longer. This crisis is going to overwhelm us because action has been put off time after time. Deputy Noonan is as well aware as I am of the situation and that repossession cases are lining up for the courts. There is significant angst, anxiety, sickness and trauma. Indeed, it seems like terrorism from the institutions of State for people in this situation. Surely we can use CPOs or some other imaginative legislation to try to secure properties, especially from vulture funds which are not buying them at market value but trying to make a killing on them, whether vacant or otherwise.

We must think outside the box here. The Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness is discussing the problem and other groups are also trying to address the problem. What good will that do if the Oireachtas does not legislate imaginatively to create a new solution?

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