Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, and the Minister, Deputy Gormley, for bringing forward the Bill. It is an extra string to the bow of the powers of local authority members. I am on the record as having said previously that without money, local authority members do not have powers. This is a revenue stream that did not exist heretofore. I accept there will be teething problems; to think otherwise would be foolish.

I agree with Senator Prendergast that housing SPCs have a pivotal role to play in the administration of the Bill. It is now a matter for the locally elected members of town councils that are housing authorities, and borough, county borough and county councils to work out means for the improvement of our housing stock, especially for the elderly and the underprivileged. This is the funding base with which to do that.

I thank the Minister of State and colleagues on all sides of the House for their contributions. Everything that has been said in both Houses has, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on one's viewpoint, contributed to the passing of the Bill today. I thank the Minister and her staff for that.