Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I know that the Minister is using the Fingal experience. Obviously we are up against it in relation to the withering issue and we will deal with that later. In many ways, it is a pity it had to happen that way.

If the Part V provision had remained in place for another year, the situation might be quite different. It takes time for new ideas and new legislation to work. The 2000 Act is an entirely new framework. The building industry is one of the major players in this process and, on occasion, it takes time for that industry to get the message that the Minister and Members are serious about this issue. We are serious about ensuring the social and affordable mix and about operating the Part V provision. That point must be put across strongly. One of the reasons I am disappointed with the Bill being put forward now is that it might seem that we are signalling the fact that we are pulling back from the Part V framework and from the serious commitment to ensuring that land is set aside for those who cannot otherwise compete in the market.