Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We need to get people back into housing in the town centre. The Government must take strong action in that regard.

Finally, there is the issue of change of use. Some things appear to be carved in stone. We should enable the change of use process to be used to convert entire sub-high streets to residential or other uses within the agreed high street plan and to relocate the successful independent retailers into the main commercial centres.

I formally congratulate the Senators and thank the Minister for gracing the Seanad with her presence, as she has done so frequently in the past. We are delighted to have her. Apparently, no Minister wanted to come to the House this week. The Minister is a politician of conviction.