Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would agree totally that local authorities should be able to allocate houses as a matter of urgency within a very short period of time. We have seen what happens when they are left for two or three weeks, because it then goes on for longer and longer. I would agree about the need for some policy. A large amount of money is being put in place by the Government in order to refurbish houses that are locked up at present, but there is a need for local authorities themselves to allocate these houses as a matter of urgency. I saw people on the television during the week, whether on "Prime Time" or otherwise, who would be more than delighted to accept and do up houses themselves in order to satisfy their housing need. There is a need for local authorities to act in that regard.