Debate contribution: Dilapidation Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Robbie Butler on 16 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Robbie Butler
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 16 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Dilapidation Bill: Consideration Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5624104

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. I do not, for a single moment, dispute the point that you made; it is a good and well-made point. However, in reality, subsection (2) of some of the first few clauses states that "the council may" exercise its powers. The Bill does not mean that a council must act. A council "may" act, and, if a council does not have the fiscal provision to do that, it is unlikely to do so. That is not to take away from our ambition to work with the Minister and the Executive to find the additional money that may be required. In reality, I think that some of this is being misrepresented. The legislation states that a council "may" act.

125 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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