Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all have a reason to back and believe in this Bill. I am delighted to have played a part in putting this Bill together and I hope now, with the amendments the Minister will put forward on subsequent Stages, we can finally see action and realise a conclusion to this. I thank everybody who has played a constructive role in this. I thank the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation which has played a constructive role in the consultation and I thank the Minister for facilitating that and driving it forward. I thank Deputy Donnelly for bringing about what is a somewhat historic Bill through cross-party co-operation. I also thank Deputy Quinlivan for his party's belief and backing and he put forward his own Private Members' legislation in respect of this matter. That helped to drive the conversation forward and showed that there is true cross-party support for this Bill. That is borne out in the conversations I have had with Independents and smaller parties. I hope that, with that cross-party support, we can drive this forward, take action now and realise a law.

This is not the biggest issue in the world, it does not relate to housing or health. Ultimately, however, getting legislation passed is my job as a Member of Parliament and a legislator. It is an important thing and I am glad to have played a practical role as a parliamentarian.

See this speech in context