David Norris (Independent)

I strongly support Senator Doherty. He has done us a service by providing a definition of homelessness for the Bill. I am sure Members on this side of the House will put forward amendments and if I do not put them forward, I will certainly support those who do.

It is essential to have this definition of homelessness. I wish to comment on the wording of the amendment. The first thing one notices is that there is a sliding scale; it is gradated. Subsection (a) states, "(a) a person who has no accommodation available to them other than a night shelter, a public place or external space". That is the extreme, but regrettably we know these people exist. There are people within 100 yards of this building who are homeless and who have no place to go. One such person is known to me and he has chosen to remain homeless. It is very difficult to know what to do in those circumstances. There are others, and with the increasingly hostile economic climate there will be many more. For this reason it is very important we address the situation of homelessness very clearly, directly and specifically.

I agree with the definition of homelessness provided by Senator Doherty with one reservation. I suggest when he tables the amendment on Report Stage, as I imagine he will if the Minister does not accept it, Senator Doherty might reconsider the question of people residing in mobile homes because there are people who live in perfectly good, adequate and decent mobile homes. There is something unexpectedly snobbish about this coming from Sinn Féin. It is almost as if we were dealing with trailer trash. Such people are not all Sarah Palins; there are some very decent people. I suggest Senator Doherty might re-examine the business of mobile homes. There are very good quality, well-maintained and comfortable mobile homes in which people live a quite adequate life. I do not believe they would be flattered by being described as homeless. With that reservation I support the amendment.

I urge the Minister of State to consider a definition of homelessness. I believe we are only taking Committee Stage of the Bill today and that we will not consider Report Stage. Is that correct?