Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the illegal occupation of development lands in the North Fringe, Dublin 13 that is causing serious distress to local residents and householders many of whom are paying large mortgages; the instructions he has given Dublin City Council, the National Asset Management Agency and local developer (details supplied) to secure all derelict and vacant North Fringe lands which they have allowed to become derelict and which are now illegally occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36674/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The illegal occupation of land comes within the remit of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. The operation of this Act is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Law Reform and the enforcement of its provisions is a matter for the Garda Síochána.

From a planning perspective, it is the responsibility of developers to ensure that lands that are part of construction sites are adequately secured from unauthorised access and from becoming a location for anti-social behaviour. Moreover, local authorities have extensive powers available to them under planning, derelict sites and litter legislation to ensure that private lands do not detract from the visual quality and character of a particular area. My Department will, as soon as possible, publish a consultation draft of best practice guidance on managing unfinished housing development sites. This will clearly set out the roles and responsibilities of developers and local authorities in this regard.