Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am not a member of the committee; I know I can attend but I was not present because I had a clashing commitment. I have very much the same position as the previous speakers. I do not think there are any particular issues with the regulations that deal with water or antennae and broadband. I do not have anything particular to say about those.

The regulation on the conversion of vacant commercial units for residential use is by far the most substantial of the three regulations. I will not oppose it either. We want to see this happening quickly. There have been a number of previous schemes designed to bring vacant properties back into use particularly the living over the shop scheme which sounded like a great idea but never really delivered. The living city initiative was supposed to, in my city in particular, bring good results but has been really slow. It has been modified somewhat and hopefully that will be effective.

There must be movement regarding vacant properties, particularly in the centres of our towns, villages and cities. I would like the modified initiative to be effective.

I do not have particular difficulties with the specific recommendations but I support what previous speakers said. I particularly support Fianna Fáil's proposals for a one-stop shop. I have read some of Orla Hegarty's work on the matter and it makes complete sense. It would make matters much clearer for those who are trying to do things quickly as a result of the urgent need to have people living in these spaces, which one sees when one visits other European cities. When I was in Paris recently for a rugby match involving Munster, I looked at lovely homes over commercial premises all over the city. The position is the same in other large cities. We need to see that this happens in Ireland.

I hope that what is proposed will speed up the process but we also need to ensure that empty buildings are filled, especially in many of the towns throughout the country that have empty premises in their heart. It is slightly beyond the focus of this debate but I want there to be a focus on that also. I do not know why local authorities should not be given funds to acquire these premises, many of which could be purchased cheaply because they are run down and have been vacant for a long time. Local authorities could renovate them and let them out as social homes. When I was in the Minister of State's position, I worked with Athy town council on this. I allocated the funding and the council did the work to bring properties back into use. That is one example of what can be done. I would love to see it happen throughout the country and I would love the Minister of State to take action. It is not covered by what we are discussing but it is part of the idea of bringing people back to live in what could be homes in our towns, villages and cities. That is very important.

I also have concerns regarding the proposal relating to minimum apartment sizes, although that is not before the House today. The Minister of State might give us an indication of the plans in this regard. Questions on fire safety and technical guidance were raised by previous speakers.

We do not want to delay this proposal. We need to see quick progress, particularly on vacant commercial units that can become homes for the people who so badly need them.

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