John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I am sorry to disappoint the Minister because I also want to speak, but I will be brief. I agree with my colleagues who have expressed the reservation that this legislation appears to be rushed. We received a list at the start of the session of the Bills expected to come through the House, but this was not part of it. It is worrying and disappointing that the Government should seek to push this important issue through the Houses in such a short space of time before Christmas.

Having said that, I broadly welcome the Government's decision to back down on its previous commitment to Part V of the Planning and Development Act. There was never any doubt in my mind that the Act, as enacted, was completely unworkable. I was ultimately proven correct. I praise the Government to some extent for the idea behind the Act, and Part V thereof. It has a laudable objective. However, the provision of such blanket legislation to try solve the housing problem throughout the country was never really going to work. Therefore, I am delighted the Government has decided to reverse its decision.

I also echo the views of those Senators who accused the Government of playing both sides of the argument in this case. We live in an era of strong scepticism and cynicism about politics. It only adds to public cynicism that the Government should do such a U-turn on legislation that was seen as a vital cog in its previous programme for Government. This is disappointing.