Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be given an idea of how long we will spend discussing the Bill today. There are approximately 180 amendments which are wide ranging, with many relating to planning and many others to the protection of tenants. The Minister is keen to rush the Bill through the House before Christmas. I do not feel the same sense of urgency as the legislation does not include anything of an emergency nature.

To enable people to make family and child care arrangements, will the Chairman indicate whether the select committee will sit until 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. to try to rush the Bill through or will we agree a time at which we will conclude business this evening, before returning to Committee Stage tomorrow, if necessary? I am concerned to ensure we will not fly through the amendments simply because members have been sitting for six or seven hours on the trot. This is an important Bill which proposes to roll back key planning measures.

It has been stated the measures included in the private rental strategy may be included in the Bill, perhaps on Report Stage. A story to that effect has been published online, although I have not yet read it, having only heard the media reports. The select committee should be informed if these measures will be tagged on to the Bill at a later stage. Given that the private rental strategy is more important than some of the provisions included in the Bill, I would like members to have an input on this matter.