Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I support Senator Terry's remarks. While I welcome the Government's aspiration to bring building control legislation before the Oireachtas in the autumn, it should be borne in mind that there is a substantial legislative backlog at present. Some 12 Bills have been passed by the Seanad but have not yet been passed by the Dáil. This House completed its consideration of the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 in February, but it has not been debated by the Dáil even though it is now June and there are just two weeks to go to the summer recess. Senator Terry has made an important contribution to the debate on ensuring compliance with the building regulations which cater for people with disabilities. The Government hopes to bring the building control Bill to the House in the autumn, but we might have to wait another year for the legislation to be passed. If we include the relevant provisions in this Bill, they will be in place straight away.