Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I do not get many chances to praise Ministers of State but Deputy Batt O'Keeffe has been very good to my constituency, he is looking after the fire service in Tallaght and I want to acknowledge that.

I welcome this opportunity to make a brief contribution on this important business. This may not be the sort of issue that is talked about on the doorsteps or in the shopping centres in Wexford and Cork but people want us to deal with these issues. I rambled around my village in Tallaght early this morning — people would be surprised if they followed me around and saw what members of the public are saying to me. Interestingly, people do talk about financial matters and the economy. They raise crime and health issues but this morning people also mentioned stamp duty and property. These are of concern to people and they want us to represent them on these issues and I am happy, as ever, to do so.

Having heard positive noises from the Opposition benches about this Bill, I look forward to finding out if our Opposition colleagues are ready to support it. I hope so because Deputy Connaughton said this morning that this is good legislation.

I appreciate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's latitude and thank him for letting me stray a little. It is Thursday, which is a different sort of day.

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