Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that because it is very important that we hear the Minister. He is aware of the difficulty with the scale of vacant and derelict properties across the State. I know that some local authorities have identified sites which they have sought to purchase for housing. However, local authorities are not making things happen when it comes to derelict sites, leaving aside the housing issue which is at the core of what I think is an excellent Bill. Tidy Towns committees are doing their best to maintain towns by redecorating decaying buildings. However, when contact is made with the local authority to see who owns derelict sites with a view to making the owners responsible for the state they are in, they get nowhere. In rural areas many buildings are boarded up. The existing legislative provisions are not working in that they do not address the issues identified. It falls on the Minister to look at the matter.

Even in housing estates, where people are doing their best to take care of their patch, nothing is done to ensure the upkeep of derelict houses. This is a real issue in terms of the visual impact. Tidy Towns committees comprise civic minded people who hold communities together.They have to work hand in hand with local authorities. I do not know whether local authorities lack the powers or the willingness to enforce laws. Perhaps the Minister could touch on that in his comments.

If one compares the housing lists across the State to the census figures on buildings that are unoccupied outside of holiday homes across the State, one finds there is a significant difference. I am sure it struck the Minister that the solution was staring him in the face. The Minister focused on the length of time it can take to go through the planning process and so on. Clear and unambiguous legislation that frees up local authorities to consider such properties as assets and opportunities would fast-forward the Minister's plans.

If, for some reason, the Bill is not acceptable, I would be intrigued to hear from the Minister the amendments to the current legislation he will introduce in order to make it practical for local authorities to deal with the housing issue, followed by partnerships with tidy towns, communities and residents' associations. They are exasperated. It is soul destroying when one does all one can to lift up one's community where there are ugly buildings dotted throughout the land and for the people responsible to face no repercussions and have to take no responsibility.