Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I thank all those who contributed to the debate. Senator Scanlon referred to the need for competition and I welcome his agreement regarding the presence of a disinterested individual at the opening of bids. I wrote the motion and reread it to ensure it did not give the impression that auctioneers were dishonest or otherwise. I made changes to the wording to achieve that and I am sorry that Senators Coghlan and Dooley got the wrong impression. My intention was to generate debate and get people together to investigate and develop codes of practice and ethics in the same way as when I represented teachers.

The Minister of State and Senator Ormonde addressed the question of the release of new house to the market in stages to keep prices up. That is an appalling practice and it is interesting that the Minister of State picked up on that part of the Bacon report. It meant prices were maintained artificially high.

Senator Ryan made the case for a code of ethics. A number of Senators mentioned the leading auctioneering company that refused to supply potential buyers with the dimensions of an apartment it was selling. Another company wanted a member of my family to put down a deposit on an apartment from the plans. The company had the plans but could one imagine supplying plans without including the dimensions?