Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House to discuss the lack of the application of the Derelict Sites Act? Many, if not all, Members will be aware of the many eyesores strewn throughout our countryside and in our towns, villages and cities. Regrettably, in some cases the offending entity is the local authority which has boarded-up houses within its ownership. That is not acceptable given that many people are seeking houses. Bearing in mind that not everybody wants to live in a town, village or city, houses in rural areas that have been derelict for some time should be acquired by the local authority and converted into liveable accommodation for people who want to live in the country where I was bred, born and reared, as were many in this Chamber.

Last week I called on the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to discuss the position that obtains as to what defence one can use to protect oneself and one's property. I preface my further comments by saying the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, is a very effective and caring Minister, but this issue is exercising the minds of many people. I received letters from three pensioners over the weekend asking me to raise this matter. I hardly need to remind the Cathaoirleach and the Members of the case of the 92 year old man who was found dead in suspicious circumstances in his cottage in County Limerick.

The rolling out of the joint policing committees can be of particular help in this regard. Local authority members, Oireachtas Members, gardaí and representatives of local organisations can come together and make definitive proposals that will assist in this matter. This battle has been ongoing for quite some time not only under this Administration but also under previous one. The old and vulnerable people of this country must be protected.