Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I second Senator O'Toole's proposal regarding No. 14 on the Order Paper, the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2005. The House will recall that it voted down a stage payments Bill approximately a year ago. I accept the Senators opposite were under instructions and agreed with it. However, the Minister stated it was anti-consumer and that he would, within six months or so, introduce his own measure. As we know, first-time buyers are now being discriminated against. They cannot secure their stamp duty relief until after completion, and as we know, they have incurred significant site and other development costs. This is discriminatory. Not alone is this anti-consumer; it is total discrimination, and I would like to give notice of our intention to reintroduce that Bill if the Minister does not act promptly in accordance with his undertaking given to this House.