John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the Bill and recognise the need for it. I am glad it has been introduced in the Seanad. There is a history in this House of introducing improving legislation. If the Bill needs to be improved, it can be done in this House. I am sure the Minister would be amendable to considering reasonable suggestions.

I need to dispose of one matter at this point, the suggestion that the Bill needs to be disposed of relatively rapidly. It has been suggested that there is an unseemly rush to get it through the House, which I dispute. The withering clause will come into effect on 31 December. In the circumstances, it could not have been avoided that the Bill would come before us if that provision was to be dealt with. According to the figures, planning permission for an estimated 44,000 housing units will expire on 31 December which creates an urgency about this matter. It would not be sensible to introduce amending legislation to deal with the withering clause and not deal with other aspects that need to be attended to. It is proper that all the relevant matters should be dealt with in one Bill.