Senator Marc MacSharry has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the urgent measures to be taken to address the housing crisis be taken today." Is the Senator pressing the amendment?

On a point of order, it might be of use to some of the newer Members of the House to observe that the great thing about democracy is that it allows us to take different views on different issues.

Is the amendment being pressed?

The amendment must be pressed. While some Members might consider it acceptable to have the debate tomorrow, it is not acceptable to those of us on this side of the Chamber.

I am putting the amendment.

For Senator Gerard P. Craughwell to say we are playing politics with the issue displays an extraordinary level of ignorance. Senator Paschal Mooney has been making contributions in the House on social issues for almost 30 years. I am here a mere 12 years. Colleagues can vote whatever way they like, but we are asking that the debate take place today.