I move amendment No. 125: In page 94, line 23, to delete “, or” and substitute “.”.

I move amendment No. 126: In page 94, to delete line 24.

I move amendment No. 127: In page 94, to delete line 37.

I move amendment No. 128: In page 95, to delete line 13.

I move amendment No. 129: In page 96, to delete line 11.

I move amendment No. 130: In page 97, between lines 23 and 34 to insert the following: “(15) Where a regional assembly demonstrates that the regional spatial and economic strategy is consistent with the National Planning Framework and the National Maritime Planning Framework and to be brought into alignment with a National Planning Statement would lead to inconsistency with either the National Planning Framework or the National Maritime Planning Framework, a draft direction shall not be issued on any provisions of …

I move amendment No. 131: In page 98, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(4) Where a provision is subject to a draft direction in accordance with subsection (2) but that provision is considered a protective measure such provision shall continue to have effect pending the decision of the Minister under section 40(4) .”.

I move amendment No. 133: In page 103, to delete lines 15 to 22.

There is also section 62 whereby the Office of the Planning Regulator can require them to make a variation, so there are major issues.

The point is-----

The point is that there were powers to make variation.

I am keen to move towards votes as well but it is important to mention the powers to vary were in the 2000 Act. In the powers to vary in this Act, there are differences and the Office of the Planning Regulator is an issue in relation to that. That is completely legitimate. It is not about any individual but about concerns we have about the powers in section 62. I was not going to raise it but it is important to mention because it is another point of intersection between the power of variation and the Office of the …

I move amendment No. 135: In page 104, line 18, to delete “10 years” and substitute “6 years”.

I move amendment No. 137: In page 104, line 19, to delete “8 years” and substitute “4 years”.

I rise today to object to the Order of Business and to signal my opposition to the proposal in the motion providing for a guillotining of the Planning and Development Bill 2023. The Civil Engagement Group will also be proposing an amendment to this motion to remove the guillotine and, instead, provide that the Bill be adjourned on Wednesday. It is important to say that when we look at the schedule, we can see that it is an extraordinary, not family-friendly and intensive one. For example, we have a 12-hour sitting …

In my remaining time, I wish to say that I will be haunted this summer by the children who are being starved, denied water and under bombardment in Gaza. These are all conscious choices. It is unacceptable that, during the same summer, Ireland and Europe will continue a business as usual approach to Israel with the flow of dual-use materials - materials that can be used for military purposes - and investment and trade with illegal settlements on illegally occupied land while aggressive and violent further expansion…

When we say we should do everything we can, let us be clear that, going into the summer, Ireland is not doing everything we can. We cannot object to human rights abuses and call for a ceasefire and then take absolutely no action, continue with business as usual and make the unacceptable choice of allowing the flow of technologies used to kill, target and destroy lives. I urge the Government to start inspections this summer and block and suspend any licences for the export of dual-use goods. These actions need to be…

I move amendment No. 1: In the Schedule to paragraph (2), proposing the arrangements for the Committee Stage of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, to delete “be brought to a conclusion at 1 p.m. by one Question, which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government.” and substitute “be adjourned at 1 p.m.”.

Senator McDowell referred to remarks made by way of preliminary comment. We have to have preliminary comment on the scale and size of what we are being asked to review and the absolutely inadequate time allotted to so do. We have heard the serious concern from right across the Opposition in the discussions relating to the Office of the Planning Regulator and this is part of a genuine concern in respect of democracy. The planning system is part of democracy. It is one of those fundamental areas. When I try to get pe…

It is really important in terms of commenting on Senator Martin's intervention. We have to be clear when we ask whether we have learned nothing. That is exactly the question we are asking when looking at this legislation. There is a suggestion that the issue is the local authorities and that the problems we have had are with local authorities. To be clear, An Bord Pleanála was put in place originally as a check and balance and it was one that functioned for a period of time, but it is also a body with largely polit…