Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This Bill is a major step forward and that is why it is important that we work together to get it passed as expeditiously as possible. There were some who accused us of rushing this Bill but we have not done so. We have engaged with stakeholders in the planning forum and right the way through. We had detailed pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill but Committee Stage will be important. I am not saying the Bill cannot be added to; it can. I am just saying the advice I have received from the Attorney General is there are two existing laws where prosecutions can be brought where someone is seeking in this way and in the way we saw on Monday night. That type of behaviour is reprehensible and disgraceful and it slows the delivery of much-needed homes for people. It is effectively a form of bribery - there is no question about that - and that needs to be called out every time it is done. I ask the Deputy to submit the information she has to my office, as I know she will, and I will work with her on Committee Stage. Second Stage continues today and I hope we will be able to conclude Second Stage in advance of Christmas.

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