Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not just affecting Kerry County Council. Let us be honest; all the local authorities are doing a great job. I echo what Deputy Michael Healy-Rae said. There is a house in my town that has been idle for two years. It had been done up but it still lies idle while we have a massive shortage of housing of any kind in Cork. The issue has to be raised. Municipal district councils must be supported also. There are so many properties lying idle for so long and we are being told that it is to do with funding and so on. There are plenty of cases where, unfortunately, people have passed away and some of those properties are in turnkey condition. It is the locks only that need to be changed. People could move into that house and make it a home. A home is very different from a house. I agree with the Deputy. We must take a realistic approach. I ask the Minister of State for support at local level also.

See this speech in context