Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)

I did speak to the Bill last night, but I thank Senator Conway for working in the spirit of the Bill, and particularly at a time when we face such a crisis in housing. A number of speakers last night drew attention to the issue of regional and technical colleges and their inability to access funding. There were positive soundings last night that there would be a move in relation to that. It is a significant concern for people across the Chamber. The Minister of State’s colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, did take note of it last night and indeed seemed enthused that something may happen. If the Minister of State could apply similar vigour, it is to be hoped we will see something happen on that because it has been transformative in terms of opening up finance for approved housing bodies, as the Minister of State said himself. A secondary challenge and offshoot of the housing crisis has been student accommodation, and this is one way we can alleviate it.I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their efforts on this important legislation.