Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have been working with the Minister for three years and we have been to every housing committee meeting. I am glad to hear some of the Senators present saying they want change. While I know that the Bill does not deliver on everything, at least it is a start, given that there are changes that need to be made. In fairness to the Minister, he has given 100%, as has the Minister of State, Deputy English. When I hear the comments about the Bill being rushed through, I think to myself that in the housing committee we have been months trying to go through some of these issues. We do not always agree on everything - no better woman than myself to argue a point - and if I have an issue, I will say it to the Minister. We have been working on this legislation for months and have had different issues. However, I will give credit where it is due - the Minister has been working with us. Some of the comments made to him are very unfair. I wanted to make that point in the light of some of the amendments tabled, with some of which I agree and with which some of which I do not. In fairness to the Minister, he has been working with us for months on this legislation and we have been trying hard to do the best we can. There are so many regulations and so many things we cannot do, which is very annoying. I totally understand from where Members are coming, but we are in a situation where we need to make sure tenants are looked after and that there is the best possible outcome for them. There are some good landlords too, but we need to strike a balance-----