Debate contribution: Dilapidation Bill: Final Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Aoife Finnegan on 8 September 2026.

MLA: Ms Aoife Finnegan
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 8 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Dilapidation Bill: Final Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5673960

Text

I start by thanking Janice and Glenda and the whole Committee team for everything that they have done on the legislation. Sinn Féin previously raised concerns about the Bill that arose from engagement with the local government sector. Concerns remain that councils may not be adequately equipped with the tools and resources to implement the Bill sufficiently, and, without proper implementation, what would be the point? At Committee Stage, Sinn Féin supported the progression of the Bill because we recognised that the current legislative framework was outdated and that councils needed stronger powers to address dangerous, neglected and dilapidated properties. Our support at that stage, however, was not the end of the conversation. Sinn Féin supported a number of the amendments that resulted from the Committee's scrutiny and sought to improve the workable provisions in the Bill. The local government sector raised many concerns about councils not having the legal certainty, protection and operational support required to exercise the powers with confidence. Sinn Féin is aware that the Minister has met the sector to discuss those concerns and that it is still not satisfied that the Bill will be workable.
However, we are heartened to hear that conversations happened over the summer and that training on the new powers has taken place. We hope that the review process that is now embedded in the Bill will provide further support to councils if and when that is needed.
In considering the Bill in its entirety, Sinn Féin has sought to take a balanced and evidence-based approach, and it has endorsed the provisions that would give councils stronger, workable powers to tackle dangerous and neglected properties. Sinn Féin will support the Bill, because we need to tackle the impact of dangerous, neglected and dilapidated buildings on our communities, which have waited far too long for meaningful actions in that area. We have seen great examples recently with the Belfast fleadh, when a number of dilapidated buildings and sites were used as pop-up entertainment venues. It transformed the city centre. If it can be implemented correctly, the Bill has the potential to improve our streets, not only in appearance but by making them safer, constructively and socially eliminating the antisocial behaviour that vacant and run-down buildings are known to attract. Regenerated sites may instead attract business, visitors and investments and help property values in the surrounding area. For that reason, we support the Bill.

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

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