Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Ó Broin knows that we are fully supportive of this Bill. It is disappointing that when we introduced our Bill on this, the Minister gave a strong commitment that he would act on it immediately and we are still here today without a Bill from the Minister.

There is consensus in the House that at the end of the day if the Government introduces a Bill it is more likely to get through whereas our Bill will just get stockpiled with the rest of the Bills. It is disappointing that the Minister has not done something in this area and brought forward the legislation that he promised us at that time. Deputy Ó Broin has this Bill and we all want to work for the common good to resolve this ongoing problem for the students.

We will support Deputies Ó Broin and Funchion's Bill as Deputy Ó Broin supported ours. The Minister equally indicated that he supported our Bill but we realistically need the Government to come forward with a Bill, which will more than likely get through. We will work with the Government on that Bill and as Deputy Ó Broin has offered to drop his Bill, Deputy Darragh O'Brien has offered to do the same if it includes what we need for student accommodation.