Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

A couple of weeks ago I asked the Taoiseach if he would schedule the Multi-Unit Developments Bill given the urgency surrounding the matter. We are not scheduled to sit on Friday. The Minister is briefing the Taoiseach to the effect that Second Stage has started in the House and we could conclude it on Friday. Nobody on this side of the House is going to vote against the principle of the Bill. There will be many amendments with which we could deal for the remainder of July or early September. The Bill has been awaited for up to eight years. I suggest it be scheduled for debate until 1.30 p.m. or 2 p.m. on Friday. While I cannot speak for Fine Gael I suspect its position is the same. We will not vote against the principle of the Bill. There is no need to retain the troops in the House. We could get the Bill ready for Committee Stage if the Taoiseach is agreeable.

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