Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many are debating the issue of housing. The Minister and Minister of State responsible for housing are in the House. The public is very cynical about any progress on this issue. The Central Statistics Office told us that, in 2016, in excess of 12% of houses were vacant. We are approaching local elections. Anybody who examines 100 good houses in any housing estate, in my constituency or elsewhere across the country, will see that one in 12 is unoccupied. Those living on either side of a vacant property say the residents have gone away. Most of the properties are owned by the banks, which are sitting waiting to make more money on the backs of the people. I have asked the Minister and Minister of State on several occasions when they will take a leaf out of the book of the local authority in Louth. It acquired properties that belonged to the banks through compulsory purchase order and there was no challenge taken constitutionally. I challenge anybody in this House who is out canvassing to identify why any 100 houses are unoccupied. It is time we got to grips with this issue. The people are laughing at those of us in this House who are not challenging the Government on the issue of good vacant houses.

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