I move the Second Reading of this Bill which will confer on sanitary authorities more effective powers and a simpler and more expeditious procedure for the acquisition of derelict sites which are unsightly and detrimental to the amenities of towns and villages. The existence of such sites, which are frequently mere rubbish dumps, in many towns not merely detracts from the appearance and amenities of the towns, but frequently constitutes in addition a danger to public safety and public health. The clearance of them will effect an improvement in these respects and will in addition afford employment for unskilled labour.
The statutory powers of local bodies in this respect are at present restricted in urban areas to structures which are not only in a ruinous state but also dangerous to the public. There is a somewhat similar provision in the Public Health Acts which could be made applicable to non-municipal towns, but as in urban areas there would have to be an element of danger arising to the public from the condition of an existing structure before the local authority could act. These powers are, therefore, of little use in connection with any measures directed to the improvement of towns by the removal of unsightly structures.
Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 lay down the procedure to be followed by a local sanitary authority in acquiring derelict sites in their sanitary districts. Under Section 3 (2) the owner or occupier of the site is given the option of improving the site in the first instance. If within 28 days after a preliminary order is made he himself undertakes the work necessary to cause the site to cease to be derelict, acquisition by the local authority will not follow. Under Section 4 the owner will also have a right of appeal to the District Court against the proposal of the local authority to acquire his land as a derelict site. The justice may adjourn the application for a period to enable the applicant to do the work necessary to prevent the site from continuing to be derelict. The period set out in the Bill as circulated for an adjournment is six months. This period is, I consider, excessive and I propose to move an amendment on the Committee Stage reducing it to two months. Failing action by the owner under Section 3 (2) and if no appeal is made or if such appeal is rejected by the district justice in whole or in part, the land will be vested in the local authority. Section 7 provides that compensation, to be assessed by arbitration, will be payable to any person having an estate or interest in the land so vested.
When the site has been vested in the local authority that body are required by Section 8 to clear, level, drain, fence or otherwise improve the site so that it may no longer constitute an injury to health or to the amenities of the neighbourhood. The sanitary authority may use the lands for any of the purposes on which statutory powers are conferred on them, or, if they do not require it for these purposes, they may sell or let it, with the consent of the Minister.