I move amendment No. 214: In page 70, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “(g)(i) protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Irish language and Gaeltacht communities including the promotion of Irish as the community language, specifically by supporting the implementation of language plans in Limistéir Phleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta and in Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta within the Gaeltacht, pursuant to Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, and (ii) protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Irish …

On the extension of the RPZs, there is not a single place in the country where they are being adhered to and observed. All the data shows they are being breached in every single location.

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. As I said, the data clearly shows the RPZs are being breached all over the country. The 2% rent increase per year that is allowable by law is being breached significantly everywhere. This is putting renters under huge pressure. Is there anything in the changes being made that means the RPZs will actually be enforced? There are no changes being brought forward by the Minister in the legislation to ensure they are enforced. What is being done to ensure their enforcement? …

I move amendment No. 12: In page 27, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “ “Access to Environmental Information Directive” means Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EC;”.

On my amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 597, I would welcome more clarity from the Minister on the definition of "statutory undertaker". This is a significant section in the context of State authority development emergency orders effectively allowing for emergency works. I am not exactly clear on the significance of that wording. If the Minister could provide an explanation, it would be very useful. On my amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 13, which has been referenced, this is a key point. It is not just in rural are…

I am also very concerned about how wide-ranging the definition of "statutory undertaker" is. It could include contractors. On newspaper publications and circulation, our amendment states: ... where the prescription of either publication in paragraph (a) or (b) above, prioritises the effective accessibility of the publication given factors including its circulation figures in the functional area of the authority concerned, the overall costs associated with purchasing or accessing it, and the quality of its archive a…

I move amendment No. 34: In page 37, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “ “Public Participation Directive” means Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment and amending with regard to public participation and access to Justice Council Directives 85/337/EEC and 96/61/EC;”.

I move amendment No. 46: In page 41, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “ “Urban Waste-Water Treatment Directive” means Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment;”.

Article 8 of the Aarhus Convention on consultation on legislation goes way beyond land use regulations where a strategic environmental assessment is required. The Minister might address that point in the context of what he said. On amendment No. 47 and the use of the word "expedient", will the Minister elaborate on why he feels that "necessary" is insufficient there? He is saying the use of the word "expedient" is standard in legislation. Does the dictionary definition of "expedient" apply here in the legislation? …

I mentioned Article 8 of the Aarhus Convention around consultation.

Yes, but the Minister did not answer my specific point about Article 8 of the Aarhus Convention on consultation on legislation. With respect, the Minister made a general point that the Bill is all Aarhus-compliant, but I am bringing up specifics and asking the Minister to address them.

I move amendment No. 49: In page 42, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(4) (a) The relevant Minister shall— (i) establish a list of prescribed bodies for the purposes of consultation on regulations and other matters under this Act under their jurisdiction, and (ii) before making regulations under this Act, consult with the existing set of prescribed bodies that are connected with or relate to the matters to which any proposed regulations the relevant Minister is preparing, and provide them with an e…

That is fine; I thought we were going to get a good contribution on exempted development. Perhaps I should not invite it. I will speak to amendment No. 60, which is in my name. This amendment proposes that environmentally significant development would not be exempted. The Bill lists areas where planning permission or public participation are not required. Significantly, it states that development "shall not be exempted development for the purposes of this Act if an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate …

It is, of course, better that one of these organisations would be able to get a declaration than not. Effectively, however, unless the party concerned is the landowner, has the consent of the landowner or is one of the organisations specified, such a party will now be shut out of the process. It may be the case that people could be in an NGO or have access or contacts that would enable them to undertake this type of action and participate in this way. If not, however, people will now be completely shut out of the p…

I would like to respond briefly. What is happening in regard to declarations and exempted development is the Minister is taking the public out of the process, which is wrong, and he is substituting a very limited number of environmental NGOs under very specific criteria. Not only does it shut out other environmental NGOs and organisations but it shuts out the entire public, which puts the limited number of environmental NGOs under a significant burden because the only way members of the public can access these decl…

I move amendment No. 80: In page 48, line 21, to delete "and".

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I indicated.

I understand that. It is no problem.

That is no problem at all. I was beginning to wonder whether some of the Deputies were proposing the community gardens should be placed on roadways, based on the way the conversation was going. I thought that was a very radical suggestion. Some radical environmentalists subscribe to that idea of guerilla gardening, so perhaps that is where that discussion was going. Returning to the amendments, amendment No. 112 on community gardens is very welcome. I very much agree with this. As others have said, there are huge b…

I move amendment No. 124: In page 64, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: "(2) In determining what constitutes a "reasonable” period under subsection (1) , the requirement shall be to provide for a period consistent with affording the public an opportunity to effectively participate, bearing in mind— (a) the volume and technical complexity of the materials involved in the participatory activity, (b) that traditional holiday periods are not conducive to public participation and therefore the periods ne…