Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We will discuss the Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill in the Chamber with the Minister today. I tabled the Bill as a member of the Civil Engagement group and a member of the Green Party. Both groups are motivated by a desire to increase fairness in our society while working with politicians of other parties and none to advance fairness and equity. The Bill is not radical. From speaking to those involved in the formation of existing Government plans, it is clear the Department and the Minister wish to go further in applying a levy to derelict and vacant sites and get them back into use. The Government's incentive initiatives to enable people to get the sites back into the housing supply are welcome.

My aim with the Bill is to help the process and add another weight to the scales of ridding cities and towns of eyesores and empty spaces. Government plans simply do not go far enough to address the issue. Derelict sites can be covered up with paint and they are no longer considered derelict. Vacant sites the size of a basketball court are exempt from the levy. These do not reflect the urgency of the housing situation. It is not our desire to penalise or afflict the comfortable. We are simply trying to work with the Government and others to ensure the best outcomes for all. Should the Bill not make it through to Committee Stage, such a measure cannot be brought forward again for six months. If Senators are wavering in their support for this common sense legislation, I appeal to them to discuss their concerns with me or my colleagues. We are interested in advancing any action to improve the homelessness situation in the country through any measure that will help restore viability and livelihood to our urban and rural communities. I hope in particular that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Senators will consider the common sense measure contained in the Bill to be worthy of depth and examination. If anyone has any doubts we are available, and we respect-----