Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Chairman, the Seanad staff and mine for their work on the Bill. I also thank the Members of the House for their consideration of it. There was a relatively lively debate on Second Stage and the Bill is better for some of the amendments made which were prompted by both sides of the House. I was amenable to some of the changes prompted by the Opposition. It is necessary to get the legislation which I inherited when appointed Minister up and running. It might be said it involves another authority which, perhaps, we would reconsider in other times, but it is necessary to regulate this area properly. The broad spectrum of auctioneers, letting agents and management service providers has not been regulated as we would wish. The Bill fits in very well with the multi-unit development legislation which we concluded a couple of days ago. Obviously, one cannot deal with everything in this area in just one legislative measure. I thank Members of the House.