Now.

Now.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire agus le Seanadóir Byrne. Our next Commencement matter is in the name of Senator Pauline O'Reilly. The Minister of State, Deputy Smyth is staying with us agus tá ceithre nóiméad aige.

This matter from Senator O’Reilly is very interesting. It relates to the need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to amend the eligibility requirements for the local improvement scheme, in particular the need to remove the requirement to have a house on at least 1 ha of land when there is only one other landowner with a herd number. We are all aware of these cases. Senator O’Reilly may now make his case.

The Senator has made his case very well.

I thank the Minister of State for taking all four Commencement matters this morning. I thank Senators Gallagher, Malcolm Byrne, Pauline O’Reilly and Joe O’Reilly-----

-----for contributing to the debate this morning. I also thank all the staff in the House, who are so helpful.

I extend my congratulations to the people who run the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park House. They have just been given a Traveller's Choice award by Tripadvisor, which is the world's largest travel guidance platform. When we consider that the top 10% of attractions globally receive these awards based on reviews from the previous year, this represents a huge recognition for the museum. It will make it a more important attraction. I suggested previously that the Cathaoirleach should visit. Perhaps he will …

I second Senator Mullen's amendment to the Order of Business. We need to have a discussion on that important legislation. I ask the Leader to write to the Minister about the important case I have raised and that we have a discussion about it.

You did, a Chathaoirligh.

I thank the Minister of State for being here with his staff and for clarifying issues today and previously. We all know there are 11,400 charities on the register and it is really important that everything is run properly and well. There has been great agreement across the House on this Bill. I have been speaking to people in the charities sector. The Minister of State clarified issues for me the last day and when I showed them the material on this Bill they were extremely happy about it. It is a good step in the r…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach and I join with him and others in welcoming the retired members of the Defence Forces to Leinster House today with Deputy Cathal Berry. I hope that they enjoy their day. In no uncertain terms, I also want to condemn the constant barrage of abuse against the Taoiseach and the threats to him and his family.

One can have disagreements with the Taoiseach on policy, or whatever else, but those people who are threatening him and his family in such a callous way should be called out and condemned. It is no way for any citizen of this country to treat another citizen of this country and I totally condemn it, as I am sure all Members would join me in that. We have all suffered from this from time to time in our lives, including myself. I am not worried about myself, and I am sure the Taoiseach is not worried about himself, b…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon. I also extend a very special welcome to some guests in the Gallery. We always love to see the public coming in to see how Seanad Éireann works. It is a very important part of our democracy. I particularly welcome Liam Coyle, an old school pal of mine who had to put up with me terrorising him during our school days. There are also friends of Senator Maria Byrne in the Gallery, namely, Pauline Kennedy and Lee Ann Purcell from Limerick. They are all very welcome. Céad mí…

The Minister of State will have at least 15 minutes to sum up at the end. If he wishes to go back to some of his statement, he may do so. He is after making an opening statement in what is probably one of the most important debates that has taken place in this House in a long time. The whole area of planning and the Planning and Development Bill 2023, which is now on Second Stage, are important.

Is that agreed? Agreed. Some of the Members are looking for a copy of the Minister of State's speech. Is it possible to arrange that?

The Senator may proceed.

As I said to the Cathaoirleach privately, I am not going to make a major contribution on this subject today but I do intend to involve myself in the debate in the coming weeks. There will be lots of time for discussion. I welcome the Minister of State and compliment him and his staff, as well as the staff of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and all the other staff who have put together a massive document. For those in the Public Gallery, I point out this Bill has 700 pages on planning and development. People might be …

The Minister of State can talk about that when he is summing up. This issue, however, must be dealt with. The situation we have where people from way outside of an area, from the east or south of the country, for example, can object to something going on in Roscommon, and they have no interest in any property there or anything else, is something that must just be done away with. End of story. The subject of judicial reviews is also going to be addressed widely in this Bill and this does need to be done. When we go …

I want to pay tribute to the late Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh who was an institution in this country. It is probably not that long ago since he became the main broadcaster on sports for RTÉ - it was only in 1984 or 1985 when he took over from Michael O'Hehir who stepped down and retired at that stage. Bhí suim mhór ag Mícheál sa teanga. He was a most outstanding man for the Irish language. Bhí sé ábalta labhairt as Béarla agus as Gaeilge ag an am céanna. He did more for the Irish language than anybody else. When young…