Micheál Martin says councils 'must move faster' and 'need to go hard' on derelict properties

Of the Croí Cónaithe scheme, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said 'there’s about 4,000 applications in — that’s going to make a big difference in towns all over Ireland'. File picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Local authorities “must move faster” and “need to go hard” when it comes to derelict properties, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has insisted.

Speaking in Cork, Mr Martin was asked if he stood by criticism in the Dáil last month when he replied to Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik that it was up to local authorities to “get on with it” when it comes to derelict sites and properties, rather than being the responsibility of the Government to do so. Mr Martin said: