Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber and ask him to outline the role local authorities play in addressing public health concerns arising from dereliction of privately owned buildings. Dereliction of urban areas is an issue we all need to address. The local authorities play a key role in this. Local government is a very important part of our community. It is in charge of roads, housing, business services and many other aspects of our society. When we have a dereliction or safety issue, it is important that local government acts appropriately and responsibly. Exactly 11 weeks ago, a building collapsed at about 2 a.m. in Oliver Plunkett Street, Bandon but nobody was hurt. That street is still closed off and there are signs up on buildings across the way. Ratepayers and a hotel are affected. It has had a major effect on economic activity within Bandon town and the lack of action is being commented on. Do local authorities have the power to deal with such issues? Do they have the power to engage? Can they compulsorily purchase a property to ensure access is opened again? It is a bizarre situation. If a building in Grafton Street or Patrick Street in Cork fell tomorrow morning, I do not think we would be waiting for 11 weeks for a road to be opened. Clarity is required. These are ratepayers and businesses in a proud town that wants to see action. It wants to see reopened a street that is closed off. I seek clarity on what powers local authorities have and when do they use them. If the powers are not strong enough, perhaps we need to legislate to ensure local authorities can act swiftly and competently to avoid having a street closed for three months. It could be closed for another three months for all I know. I do not know when it is going to be opened. Here in Leinster House and in the Custom House in particular, people must use their initiative to instruct the local authorities to act swiftly.

This is a big issue at present. There are derelict sites in many cities and towns and dereliction is an unfortunate issue. We are in the middle of a housing crisis and to have these sites sitting idle is a crime.How do we get these sites back into circulation and make them produce for our society? I know of a street in Innishannon, County Cork, where there are 11 idle houses. That is totally inappropriate. We have to ensure that the powers of local authorities are strong enough to enable them to deliver vibrant, strong communities. Those communities will not emerge from derelict sites and buildings.

I am looking for clarity on this matter. Do the local authorities have the power to intervene? If not, will we give them such power and, if so, can we instruct the Custom House to get actively involved and ensure the dereliction problem in many towns and villages is dealt with to improve the quality of life of communities and wider society?