Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Higgins in this regard. She mentioned possible flexibility around whether the time specified in amendment No. 41 would be 12 or 18 months. Let us say it will be 18 months for the provisions of amendments Nos. 40 and 41. I genuinely hope that the Minister will be in this role in 18 months' time and that he will be coming back here to tell us about his great successes and achievements in this regard. I mean that sincerely. I look forward to seeing what will have happened in 18 months. Hopefully, the Minister will be there and the Government will still be in play. I hope he will still be the Minister, if he has not moved up higher by then, and that he will come back with reports on these aspects. I look forward to that and I am in favour of it.

In wrapping up, because I will not be speaking any more on this legislation, I genuinely wish the Minister well. He has put his best foot forward. He is brave and courageous, and what is more important is that he believes. I am looking at a man who believes in what he is about and who believes in what he wants to do. While we might have differences, he is the Minister and it is his prerogative to get on with the job. He will be held to account, and housing will be one of the biggest issues that will decide the future of this Government, invariably, and that of the Minister himself. I genuinely wish him well and the best of luck.