James Bannon (Fine Gael)

As regards "unoccupied", some local authorities are better than others at implementing the Derelict Sites Act. It is a problem throughout the country, where disused premises have become an eyesore within communities, in town centres, etc. Will there be further powers in this legislation to address the problem of derelict sites and related unoccupied buildings where graffiti is scribbled all over them etc.? That is often a problem and can destroy the centres of many towns participating in tidy towns competitions. It is important there be some form of co-operation in place to ensure this does not happen. We must ensure that the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act are fully implemented because some local authorities pay little attention to it. This issue must be addressed on a nationwide basis and perhaps a directive could be issued to local authorities to encourage them to more fully implement the provisions of the Act to which I refer.