Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

Notwithstanding the Minister of State's commitment to introduce legislation to deal with local homelessness action plans, I cannot understand why we cannot make provision for it in this Bill. After all, it is a housing Bill. We have debated this long and hard during the preceding Stages.

Amendment No. 16 is substantial. All we are calling for is the establishment of a local homelessness forum within the administrative area associated with each homelessness action plan. I cannot understand why the Minister of State will not consider accepting this amendment, even at this stage. The Way Home has been published and adopted by the Government. I am presenting a good opportunity to enshrine in legislation many of the commitments in that document. If the amendment is accepted, it will go a long way towards progressing the local homelessness action plans about which the Minister of State speaks. Not only will it save time, it will also furnish local authorities and housing authorities with clear criteria with which to work. Drawing on The Way Home and this amendment would certainly tackle the needs of the homeless.

When I was going home last night I came across three or four homeless people sleeping rough in the cold of the night. They cannot wait and we should act now to try to help them. There is an urgent need and we cannot turn a blind eye for much longer. It is all very well to have plans but they must be implemented. Many have been produced by the Government in respect of various sectors but they are gathering dust. The Fine Gael proposal is not one that should be allowed to gather dust but one that should have legislative traction. For that reason, I hope amendment No. 16 will be accepted.