Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik and many other Members referred to the housing strategy which was announced yesterday. I note the points made by many speakers on the matter. I assure Senator Bradford that the housing strategy is one for ordinary people and certainly not for developers and the construction industry. It is a roadmap to accommodate by 2020 all 90,000 households on the waiting lists with homes in which to raise their families. That is the aim of the plan. I will certainly try to arrange to have the Minister of State, Deputy Paudie Coffey, attend in the House before the break to have a debate on this very important issue.

Senator Bacik also welcomed the proposed changes to adoption law. We all agree with that. Senator Barrett referred to road safety issues, in particular the requirement to provide driving licences in court and the problems arising from that. Senators Barrett, MacSharry, Craughwell and Ó Domhnaill referred to the 20% deposit policy of the Central Bank. Senator MacSharry differed from the other three speakers on the matter. I agree that we should have a debate on the matter in the House. There is obviously a difference of opinion on the issue among Members.

Senator Pat O'Neill and others asked for a debate on water. I assure them that we will have a further debate as the Water Services Bill will be dealt with before the end of the current session. There will be ample opportunity to discuss the matter again.