Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)

I compliment Deputy Gilmore on introducing the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill. It is obvious from contributions to the debate that all sides of the House acknowledge the problem with unfinished estates, particularly in the new growth areas outside Dublin city, such as Kildare, Meath and Louth. I am pleased the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, recognised the Bill's merits and will not oppose its Second Stage reading. Given that the then Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, voted down a similar Bill in my name on 11 May 1999, the decision not to oppose this Bill could be seen as a cynical move to take the heat off the Government in the forthcoming by-elections in Meath and north Kildare.

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