Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

No. 3 is the Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004. This is a Private Members' Bill brought before the House by our party colleague Senator Coghlan and he is to be complimented on that. Is it the Government's intention to allow this Bill pass Second Stage to Committee Stage in the House? Is it its intention not to oppose it on Second Stage as it deals in a direct way with a particular problem in the housing area? I ask the Government to allow the Bill pass Second Stage tonight. All Members of the House should be encouraged to bring forward Bills of this nature. It helps Government and Opposition alike. The notion that the Government is the font of wisdom when it comes to the preparation of legislation should be challenged. I encourage the Government to support the legislation tonight and let it go through to Committee Stage. Will the Leader indicate if that is the Government's intention?