Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

If it is appropriate, I wish to comment on the passing of the Bill. I thank the Minister of State for commencing the Bill in the Seanad Chamber where there was a great deal of discourse and debate regarding all the provisions it contained. There was much engagement by all sides in the Bill. The legislation tackles serious areas in our local authority areas that needed urgent attention, such as anti-social behaviour, improving how local authorities engage with housing applicants, how they function and the entire area of housing under their responsibility. Homelessness was mentioned as a significant area that required attention and I believe there is good provision within the Bill. Housing assistance programmes were intended to allow people get on the property ladder and give them the opportunity to own a place of their own. All that is left, now that the Bill is going to pass, is to ask the Minister of State and his Department officials to ensure local authorities are communicated with well concerning the contents of this Bill so that it can be implemented in as full and proper a fashion as possible in the relevant administrative areas.

I thank the Minister of State for listening to the debate and taking on board the views of all Members. I thank his officials for their time and effort. The Bill is comprehensive and complex and will have a major impact on our social housing policy and on how our local authorities implement that policy locally. We in the Fine Gael Party broadly welcome this Bill and hope to see the fruits of that improvement in trying to house people who badly need accommodation.