Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)

I want to raise with the Tánaiste the issue of section 5. It probably had its uses, but when abused, as it is being at the moment, it is a very serious tool.

Anybody can make a section 5 application, even if he or she does not own the building, to check if it is exempt from planning for an IPAS centre. The owner of the building in a lot of cases does not even know that somebody has made a section 5 application, as happened in Trim last week. This is creating a lot of unnecessary problems for communities right across the country and needs to be urgently addressed. A 'For Sale' sign on a building is enough for some of these unscrupulous people to make a section 5 application, where they know they can make a lot of money overnight. They are looking for these section 5 applications on buildings that would never be exempt from planning like industrial units with no windows. According to the programme for Government, the only hotel in a town will not be taken for an IPAS centre. Will the Tánaiste give a commitment today that this will not happen? It is hurting tourism and businesses in small towns right across the country.

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