Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I said earlier on that there had been no objections to this project, which would comprise 150 to 200 modular homes. This developer is willing to help with the current housing crisis. These houses are family homes with a front and back garden. The people who come to me do not want to rear their children in apartments. They want them to have a normal life in a very safe environment. I will again use the term "shovel-ready". The electricity, sewage and gas infrastructure is ready. There are schools, shops and everything else in the vicinity. The Government is talking about putting billions aside. This is just one area. Will the Taoiseach and the Minister please give a commitment to come and look at this project?

The second thing I mentioned was unoccupied council houses. There are 30 such houses in Dundalk. Louth County Council should be run as a business. If I had a business, I would have a thing called a float, which covers normal day-to-day running costs. I ask the Taoiseach to give Louth County Council a float of €100,000 so that, as unoccupied council houses come up, they can be dealt with straight away rather than waiting five, six, seven or eight months. These houses are being handed back to the council in perfect condition. If they are left lying idle for that length of time, they will get damp and everything else. Let us allow local authorities to operate as businesses do.

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