MICHAEL MERRIGAN, MA, FGSI: SOCIAL HOUSING

Saturday 23 June 2007

SOCIAL HOUSING

The length of local authority housing lists around country is causing despair, anguish and real hardship for thousands of families, young couples and single adults who cannot afford the extortionate rents of the barely regulated private sector. Priority must be given to the provision of social and affordable housing, including the provision of secure quality smaller units for elderly local authority tenants wishing to “down-size” from larger local authority housing units. Local Authorities in the Dublin Region must, with considerable urgency, be proactive in providing social and affordable housing in order to stem the decline in their populations and the resulting damage to local economic activity caused by the movement out of the region in the search of affordable housing. Recent proposed changes in Stamp Duty will do absolutely nothing to stem this tide.

(pictured above, one of the many local authority units in Dún Laoghaire boarded-up and awaiting refurbishment before allocation - it some cases it takes many months before the keys are handed over to the new tenants.)

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MY NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS ON LEGISLATION

I have a strong record of campaigning on various legislative matters for the past fifteen years. Scrutinising proposed legislation and proffering suggestions for amendments aimed at improving the legislation or protecting the rights of the citizen.

In collaboration with Teachtaí Dála and Senators of all parties and none, I have successfully achieved amendments to Bills in both Houses of the Oireachtas. Most notably The Statistics Act, 1993, The Heritage Act, 1995, The National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, The Copyright & Related Rights Act, 2000 and The Civil Registration Act, 2004.

I have made submissions to Teachtaí Dála and Senators on The Registration of Deeds & Title Act, 2006, The Civil Unions Bill, 2006, Defamation Bill, 2006, Privacy Bill, 2006, The Land & Conveyancing Law Reform Bill, 2006 amongst others.

I collaborated with Sen. Paschal Mooney, (Fianna Fáil) to successfully achieve around twenty-eight amendments to the National Cultural Institutions Bill, however, this legislation still has some fundamental flaws.

Therefore, after five years campaigning for the introduction of new legislation, I decided to research and draft proposed legislation. In May 2006, Sen. Brendan Ryan (Labour) sponsored the introduction of my Bill. The Genealogy and Heraldry Bill, 2006 had its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann in December 2006. This Bill sought to provide a sound legislative basis for the State’s delivery of heraldic services, especially the granting of Arms.

I shall continue to press for further legislative protection for our heritage and for a greater voice to the voluntary and community sector.