Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I endorse Senator Fitzpatrick's views entirely, including on those issues about which we should not be speaking. I support this legislation but I do not want to see emergency periods being used, effectively, as an excuse for things not to be done. I have a specific question, for example, regarding why extended periods might be allowed under derelict sites legislation. I have no problem with allowing for extensions to consultation periods, planning permission for developments and so on but where we are dealing with somebody who has been subject to a derelict sites levy or has been ordered to carry out the cleaning of an area, I seek an assurance that nothing in this legislation will prevent such work from happening. Somebody who has allowed an area of land to be derelict for a long period should not be able to use this legislation or any loophole within it to prevent necessary work from being done, particularly given that the construction industry can continue to operate under all levels of Covid-19 restrictions. It is important for the Minister to confirm that this will Bill not prevent work from taking place in the case of derelict sites or dangerous structures.My specific concern is in regard to the inclusion of the Derelict Sites 1990 Act.