George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)

I listened with interest last week as the Taoiseach scolded local authorities for their inaction or delays in returning void houses back into use. However, as someone who served on Wexford County Council for 20 years, one of the things that caused some of the greatest headaches were large-scale derelict buildings that created dangerous places for young people and children, in particular, to venture into. I think of the old Wexford General Hospital lying dangerously derelict for 33 years. I think of Hookless Village resort in Hook Head in Wexford lying dangerously derelict for 18 years. In the Taoiseach's constituency St. Kevin's Hospital has been closed since 2002. I think I am correct in suggesting that.

Hookless Village resort is vested in the ownership of the Minister for public expenditure. When a building or a company goes into receivership it becomes vested in the ownership of the Minister for public expenditure and the HSE own the rest.

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