Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I do not for one minute doubt the genuine attempts of the Minister of State who, while he has been in office for a relatively short time, has done enormous work in the whole area of housing and homelessness, which I publicly acknowledge. However, I concur with Senator Norris. I am a relatively new Senator, having only been here since July last year, but I have a lot of respect for this House and the work it does. I am disappointed we more or less have a half-baked Bill, if I understand this correctly. There are implementation plans, housing strategies and regulations over which this legislation will form an umbrella. As Senators, we would like at an early stage to have the same opportunity to debate the full context of housing, homelessness and all that goes with it as has any Member of Dáil Éireann. Every Senator present has taken a genuine interest in the Bill and we have put down amendments for genuine reasons, to try to enhance what we acknowledge is a progressive Bill. For those reasons, I propose the amendment.