Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I also support Senator Fitzgerald's call on undocumented Irish in the United States. There is agreement on both sides of the House on a motion but we urgently need a debate to fully clarify the Government's position. A major divergence has emerged in recent days on the approach to be taken and, while there has been agreement in the past, I wonder where we stand now. We need to debate this matter in order that we can, hopefully, get back on the same track.

I want to mention briefly auctioneers and solicitors. Regarding solicitors, No. 3 relates to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and I have asked the Leader about this before. I do not recall when he said this Bill would be before us but it has been said recently that the Bill was withdrawn to allow for restructuring. The Leader may correct me if I am wrong. Is the Government proposing amendments to the Bill as we believed it stood? It provided for the legal services ombudsman. Will the Leader say how the Bill will be restructured and when we are likely to see it?

In regard to auctioneers, on whom we have had a debate, the national property services regulatory authority has the support of the Consumers' Association of Ireland, the IPAV and the IAVI. All sides of the House welcomed it but it is on a voluntary basis pending a national property services regulatory authority Bill to give it statutory legal effect. Given that there has been no announcement from Government on the Bill will the Leader say when it will be published? I understand only half the auctioneers have signed up. Naturally the Consumers' Association of Ireland is rightly critical of the situation, as I am sure is the case with Senators on all sides. I ask the Leader to enlighten the House as to when the Bill will be published.