Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with colleagues in calling for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, on ghost estates and homelessness. It would be great if there were some joined-up thinking to see if we can marry the real need for the provision of housing for homeless people and the surplus housing dotted across the country. Now that the banks are beginning to lend a little, people are getting more courageous and may be in a position to buy houses on offer at much reduced prices, there are opportunities that could help alleviate many of the housing problems experienced by people on low incomes and the homeless. The increase in homeless numbers is a grave concern for all of us.

I welcome yesterday's significant announcement made by the Minister of State, Deputy O’Dowd, that the national groundwater vulnerability map has been drawn up which aims to protect vital water supplies. We all know how crucial water supply is. This mapping project was undertaken over the past seven years by five geologists, recording information along 40,000 km of road and covering more than 50,000 km of area. This will be used by local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, consultants and individuals to better understand and manage land use and development that has the potential to impact on groundwater supply. Hopefully, this project will result in less damage being done to our water supplies. I compliment the Minister on this initiative and the five geologists involved in it.