Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I too welcome the Minister of State. However, it is unfortunate we are welcoming him in this circumstance. For the second time in a week, we are correcting legislation that has proven to be inadequate or not properly co-ordinated because of lack of communication between Departments. The House is being used to correct legislation that should have been properly debated and all loopholes closed. This is a lesson for us that legislation should not be rushed and should be given proper focus and attention by those who bring it before the Oireachtas. I do not know if this has been caused by a lack of communication. The Government seems to be in disarray at present. The Government's eye is off the ball with regard to fulfilling basic legislative duties. This is the second example of this disarray in a week. Last week we had rushed legislation to make provision for firearms certificates because people had been carrying firearms illegally because a Criminal Justice Act had not been implemented properly.

Nevertheless, this is important legislation. Compulsory purchase orders are an important power of the State and of local authorities. They are often required to ensure that large infrastructural projects, like the Galway city by-pass, go ahead. It is important that such facilities are available to local authorities and State agencies.

I acknowledge that the Bill is being rushed through to save unnecessary expense and increase the time limits of compulsory purchase orders. However, it is unfortunate that legislation is being rushed through the House in the second last week of our sitting. This should not happen. It shows that the Government's eye is off the ball and that it is distracted at present.