I welcome the Minister to the House. I was going to begin by outlining the broader context of the discussion in terms of the urgency of the transition that is needed. The sixth interim assessment report from the third working group of the IPCC, published last April, made it very clear that there is no space for continuing with fossil fuel expansion or the continuation of fossil fuel exploitation. All of our future energy needs, and we need to be transitioning and substituting, need to be coming from renewable energ…

-----as well as substituting wind energy and accelerating our full exit from fossil fuels and fossil fuel dependence. The deployment of renewables for large energy users alone, Professor Daly noted, is unlikely to prevent scenarios such as gas lock-in or to ensure we do not breach our sectoral emissions ceilings. She points again to the need for mitigating measures around demand reduction. That is wind energy for the public good and not simply a competitor in an energy industry. It is one of the lifelines for the c…

I did not want to interrupt the very lovely speeches for another excellent candidate, Senator Buttimer, but a minor point of procedure to flag is that I had indicated first. I do not know if it is possible to reflect that in the order in which the motions were taken but it would be good if it was because it is good we get to have all the opportunities to vote that we can. I thank the Acting Chairperson and note it is really welcome to see him in the Chair today, especially as we come to the end of this historic yea…

I congratulate all those who are rotating roles, namely, Senators Pauline O'Reilly, Garvey, Kyne and Gallagher, as well as the Leader and Deputy Leader. I acknowledge in particular the outgoing Leader, Senator Doherty, who spoke beautifully on the Order of Business yesterday about her experience of coming into the Seanad and what it means to her. During her period as Leader, we have faced very particular challenges and I have seen how much she cares about this House. Indeed, she spoke about moving from the somewhat…

I begin by paying tribute to Senator Joe O'Reilly. He has been a very good Leas-Chathaoirleach. As previous speakers stated, he is one of the most decent and good people I have known in politics. I regard him as a friend. As well as always bringing care, kindness and tolerance to his role as Leas-Chathaoirleach and to any part of his engagement with colleagues across the House, he has a dry wit and a wisdom that are very useful and positive and that have been available to everybody. Like others, I have had the oppo…

I join in expressing condolences to the young peacekeeper who lost his life and the peacekeeper who was injured in the service of the UN and a more peaceful world. That is a very sad thing. He was undertaking very important work. It is wonderful to hear such pride in the Seanad and what it has been historically. This year's Seanad 100 events have given us a chance to look at what it has been, what it is and what it might be, particularly if we move towards Seanad reform and crafting even more possibilities into the…

I thank the Minister of State for his response to my amendments. I would have liked more elaboration on the Government’s amendments because the proposals that the Government is putting forward will have significant consequences. While my amendments to the amendments have been addressed, when the Minister of State has the opportunity to come in again, he might elaborate on what the Government is doing with its different amendments. This is coming in the context of the turnaround times. It is regrettable that we are …

No, we are probably slightly more than that. Amendment No. 11 seeks to insert a new subsection after subsection (3). I have mentioned that in regard to Part XAB. Amendment No. 12 relates to the "mays" and "shalls" that we often come to in this House, but which can be so significant. There is a reference to the fact that the Minister may make regulations providing for "all of the following matters". We must take a preventative approach, especially when we have not had the opportunity for consultative back-and-forth …

Specific questions were asked on specific amendments. It would be useful to have answers to decide whether to push them. I ask the Minister of State to address them.

Serious concerns about An Bord Pleanála have been flagged for a long time. We have heard a lot about the Government learning from things. I welcome the inclusion of a use-it-or-lose-it requirement in the section. We looked for such a requirement when SHDs were going through and we were not given it. We flagged concerns on SHDs back in 2016 and they were not listened to. That is why we should have proper and better Oireachtas engagement. Sometimes Members, even those who are not on the Government benches, make usefu…

That is very dangerous and that is the kind of situation that happens when people almost want to take advantage of people's other commitments and the fact they must schedule their time. Again, it leads to bad decisions. I am not looking to remove the provision of remote conferencing but I am saying that if there is a remote meeting, 72 hours' notice should be given. That is very reasonable. There would be an obligation to inform the board members, all 14, that there will be a meeting. Those who can make it can atte…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 10, line 18, after "time" to insert ", where notice of such a meeting has been provided not less than 72 hours in advance,".

I move amendment No. 2: In page 10, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "(8A) Where a meeting takes place using remote video or telephone conferencing facilities or other means of communication provided for under subsection (8), the quorum for such a meeting shall be 5 members.".

I move amendment No. 3: In page 11, line 6, after "can" to insert "practically".

I move amendment No. 4: In page 11, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "(fa) for the avoidance of doubt, any land or portion of land which is owned by a state authority but is not zoned exclusively for residential use, shall not be relevant under this section,".

I move amendment No. 5: In page 11, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "(1A) This section shall not apply to a housing development which may have a significant effect on the environment and any such determination needs to be made publicly available at least 12 weeks prior to the notification of the commencement for the development provided for under subsection (2).".

I move amendment No. 6: In page 12, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: "(ga) procedures for determining whether the development is one which may have a significant effect on the environment and where public participation is therefore required, and the publication of any such determination and the information relied upon, and should include in particular determinations in respect of— (i) impacts on water quality so that the requirements of Article 4 of the Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament…

I move amendment No 7: In page 12, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(3A) Regulations made in respect of subsection (3)(a), (b) and (d) shall not specify a notice period of less than 5 weeks.”.

I move amendment No. 8: In page 12, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(3A) In respect of subsection (3)(c), documents, particulars, plans or other information, in relation to the development, shall be made available for inspection by the public both online and in person for a period of not less than 5 weeks.”.

I move amendment No. 9: In page 12, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(3A) Any procedures which the Minister may regulate for under subsection (3) (f) shall be consistent with the procedures set out in Part X of the Act of 2000 and any further requirements under Article 4 of the Environmental Impact Assessments Directive.”.