Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The reason the Bill has been brought forward at short notice is, as everybody will be aware, that 40,000 planning permissions will wither at the end of this month. I am prepared to do something about this. That is the reason the Government has looked fairly at the issue and supported these proposals which have been put together by all those involved.

There are four key points. We will ensure delivery, social and affordable housing and integration and increase volumes substantially. We will not achieve perfection which I do not believe anybody could achieve. My hope is that what we are doing here will deliver on those key points and that I will be back in this Chamber in 12 months speaking on a motion under which we will look fairly at the figures and see that volumes have gone up substantially. That will be the test of the marketplace, developers, local authorities and the social partners. Given what everybody wants – greater flexibility in Part V in doing away with the withering clause and giving life back to the sites in question and securing income from them for the social and affordable housing funds of local authorities – we are doing a good day's work for those trying to serve those most in need of housing.

Question put.