Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I also wish to join with previous speakers in congratulating Senator Norris on achieving a nomination. I believe democracy is best served by all the candidates being nominated and as other Members have stated, I wish them all well, even if, as Senator Cullinane noted, not in equal measure. All Members will have their favourites but hopefully there will be a good, clean and robust campaign.

Naturally, there is concern at NAMA's proposal and one is led to believe there also is concern in Government circles in this regard. Perhaps the Acting Leader could arrange for the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, to come into the House. If it is allowed or comes into being, NAMA's proposal to encourage the purchase of thousands of homes could artificially inflate the market. Up to 5,000 residential properties on NAMA's books could be involved, on which it could waive 20% of the value, were prices to fall over five years. However, the important point is the Government and the agency must be at one. As the Government's concerns are now in the public domain, I ask the Acting Leader to arrange in early course to have in the House the Minister of State with responsibility for housing. There are so many important ramifications, some of which have been touched on by others this morning. However, the central point is one cannot have such an important agency in conflict with Government policy on such an important matter as housing.