Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

Together with a number of other Senators, I acknowledged the progressive nature and general thrust of the Bill, which will certainly improve housing services. We are adamant that homelessness should be given a higher priority in this Bill. The amendment merely seeks to insert an additional subsection (c) to section 19(4) to "ensure adequate provision of housing to prevent and reduce homelessness".

As various Senators outlined, in the context of housing legislation, homelessness is an important and significant issue, which we wish to put to a vote. I propose that the amendment stands.