Legislation was needed to curb the ability of landowners to make obscene profits from land rezonings, said Mr Joe Costello (Lab). Councillors in urban areas were being put under enormous pressure to rezone land because of the housing crisis, he noted. Rezonings, even against the wishes of many councillors, were inevitable in the current climate. It was essential the House debate how the enormous problems caused by the housing crisis could be addressed without facilitating those who had bought land in belts surrounding urban areas and who now stood to make exorbitant profits.
Former member Mr Gordon Wilson was remembered when senators praised those who contributed to the Northern Ireland peace process, especially Nobel Peace Prize winners, Mr David Trimble and Mr John Hume.
House leader Mr Donie Cassidy said the world was watching with admiration "and is willing us all on. We must continue to work together to overcome all obstacles".