They are at the door of the Chamber.

I should mention and remind the House that we have the largest budget ever dedicated to housing in this State at over €3 billion. The raft of legislation before the House today is to support businesses. That is what this Bill is about. It is about supporting small and micro companies and medium-size companies. It is incredible. Previously, there was legislation about the Government providing more accessible and cost-efficient ways to help rescue companies and restructure them as needed, especially when going throug…

Amendments Nos. 2, 37 and 38 are related. Amendments Nos. 37 and 38 are consequential on amendment No. 2 while amendment No. 38 is a logical alternative to amendment No. 37. Amendments Nos. 2, 37 and 38 may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I will check with the Clerk.

Yes, that is fine.

I am sharing time with Senator Seery Kearney. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Today we are dealing with the Land Development Agency Bill. It is great to see it. This Bill is going to develop and regenerate publicly owned lands for affordable housing. That is what it comes down to, in a nutshell. I welcome the clarity the Minister of State has given on section 183. He has stated very clearly that it will only not apply where land has been zoned for housing. In other words, the only place it would not b…

I welcome the Minister to the House. Amendments Nos. 1 and 92 are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

I thank Senator Lombard. The Senator has a very strong amendment.

There are a number of speakers. They will be in the following order: Senators Ahearn, Pauline O'Reilly, Dooley, Higgins and Chambers.

The Minister is very welcome. It is so important that we capture carbon removals and sequestration in this Bill. I am delighted that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have come together, fought to include this issue and put forward an amendment for the Minister's consideration. I understand that on earlier Stages he took on board many of the amendments that were submitted. We have such valuable land in Ireland but there are regional differences. We have particularly valuable land in the west, in Galway and Roscommon. We ha…

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach and all our Senators. It is our one-year anniversary. It is one year since 29 June 2020, we are in the same seats in the Convention Centre and it is fantastic to be speaking here as a voice representing the west. It has been an incredible year. We have seen what has happened in terms of a pandemic and lockdown. For all of us new Senators, it is a very different world. I have had the chance to speak in both the Seanad and the Dáil Chambers, which was an amazing privilege. It is a pri…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank him and the Senators for bringing this Bill forward. It was great to see such an initiative. As Fine Gael spokesperson for education, I am very happy to support it, especially as it includes schools. The Minister of State has highlighted that as one of the key areas in the Bill. That is so crucial because through the Green-Schools programme, the work of An Taisce and everything we are doing to promote sustainable energy within our schools to help our children be…

Over €15 million has been allocated to 170 schools around the country under the Safe Routes to School programme. This funding was a commitment under the programme for Government. This is going to have an impact on the lives of thousands of students across the country. We know how dangerous it can be in rural areas where we do not really have that many footpaths so it is really difficult for children to walk or cycle to school. We have many issues with safe parking around schools and much congestion. It is really im…

We know that climate action and low carbon development are urgently required at a national and international level. I appreciate that the Minister has considered at least 78 amendments and I welcome this approach. He has a target of climate resilience and climate neutrality by 2050 with carbon budgets at five-year intervals. Ministers and Departments will be charged with sectoral emission ceilings and will report to the Oireachtas joint committee. This has to be practical. The Minister indicated there will be front…

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I also welcome today's announcement regarding the Safe Routes to School programme, which is fantastic, with over €15 million being provided for active travel. On the aviation sector, in her opening statement the Minister of State referenced the importance of regional connectivity, particularly for the west. Ireland West Airport Knock is crucial, along with Shannon Airport. It is essential that we ensure that the reopening will be both safe and sustainable. It cannot b…

Amendments Nos. 13 to 21, inclusive, are related. Amendments Nos. 14 to 21, inclusive, are physical alternatives to amendment No. 13. Amendment Nos. 19 and 20 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 18. Amendments Nos. 13 to 21, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 22, 24 and 29 to 32, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together.

I thank the Minister for that response. Does Senator Bacik wish to respond?

Amendments Nos. 33 and 34 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 35 and 36 are related and may be discussed together.