Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

As both Deputies have said, we have had a long discussion on this point. At what stage do we bring this process to a close? I believe we are getting close to that point. I fully respect the bona fides and good intentions both of Deputy Crowe and Deputy Daly in this regard, but €1.4 billion has been spent. We are trying to move on to the next stage now in order to deal with the existing requirements of those who have come through the process. I remind Deputies that the process was kept open for much longer than originally intended to ensure that people who wanted to make representations to apply were able to do so. I do not believe we can leave that open indefinitely. The effect of the amendment would be to leave that door permanently open.

As regards the operation of this legislation, I repeat that I am prepared within two years from now, having monitored the way it is going, to report back to this House and give some form of review to see how it is working. I will not tie myself down at this point but my commitment to the House is on the record. In two years' time, in the late summer of 2014, we will have a look at where we are and make some kind of progress report by way of a review. Let us not prejudge either the format of that review or its outcome, but I am pretty clear that I will formally come back to the matter in two years.

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