Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I am standing in for my good friend and colleague, our housing spokesman, Senator Larry Butler. I know he would like me to put on the record of the House his appreciation of the manner in which this legislation was accommodated by all our colleagues in the Seanad. I congratulate the Minister of State in that regard. The general feedback is that this is good legislation.

It is great to have our friend and colleague, a former Member of the Seanad, the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Finneran back in this House with such a good item of legislation, and to witness the open and frank manner in which he steered the Bill through the House. Even his few words in summary indicated that he will keep an eye on developments and come back to us with regard to progress on the various items we have teased out in respect of the Bill.

We thank the Minister of State for his co-operation, and I know Senator Butler would like to express to his colleagues opposite his appreciation for the manner in which they teased out issues, tabled amendments and accommodated the debate. We should like to extend to the Minister of State and his staff our best wishes for a very happy, holy and peaceful Christmas.