James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Your acuity of vision is legendary, a Chathaoirleach.

I wish to raise an issue relating to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. People will know that there has been a major problem in the country in the past ten or 15 years with building estates and housing estates being taken in charge. We have a situation whereby companies went bust during the recession. I am not here to score points about that; I am here because I want to have this issue addressed. I understand the Minister is in the process of addressing this by bringing in a taking-in-charge Bill.

Under Fine Gael much building work has taken place and far more is due to take place. There are people throughout the country who are looking at derelict sites in their estates. They can see roads that are unfinished and green spaces left untended and neglected. Yet, the council or local authority cannot or does not have the power to take the areas in charge. The interesting thing is that with many of these developers when a cash bond is involved they are given up to be taken in charge quickly. However, when the nature of the bond is a guarantee or an insurance bond there seems to be tremendous lethargy. I hope the Minister will examine that as he is formulating this legislation.

I call on the Minister to attend the House to tell us when the legislation will be ready and enacted. I emphasise that we need this in place before many of the new houses, which are so badly needed, are built. Our citizens should not have to go through years of living in half-finished estates not properly taken in charge.