I join all my colleagues in complimenting the Minister of State and her officials on their hard work. From talking to the Minister of State, I know she appreciates very much what her officials have done here. This Bill is huge for counties like my own, Roscommon, as well as the Galway region and for all rural areas. I knew about it before I came into the Oireachtas in 2016, but once I came in, it was a massive issue. Deputy Butler is a most caring Minister of State and I am delighted she got this through here today…

I will try not to take too long because I know many Senators wish to contribute on this really important and significant Bill. Looking at the purpose of the Bill, we have to realise what we are about here. For example, one of the stated purposes of the Bill is "to enable urgent measures to be taken to increase the supply of housing in the State and in particular affordable and social housing". I hear every Senator remarking on that need almost every day. The Bill aims "to ensure that public land which is not being …

I pay tribute to two very special athletes from the Roscommon and Galway region who will participate in the Paralympics and the Olympic Games at Tokyo: Richael Timothy from the Ballymore area competing in para-cycling, and Aoife O'Rourke from the Castlerea area competing in boxing. There is great excitement throughout the region with many flags flying in celebration of them representing Ireland at the Olympics. It is a very proud time for the people of Roscommon and Galway. I am sure the Leader will join me in send…

In general, I welcome the Government's continued support for this sector. We certainly need to do more. I concur with the comments of my colleagues that the support should be continued. The explanatory memorandum states section 6 extends to 31 August 2022 the application of the 9% VAT rate to the supply of restaurant and catering services, to guest and holiday accommodation, to entertainment services such as admission to cinemas, theatres, museums, fairgrounds, amusement parks and sporting facilities, to hairdressi…

Sit down.

It is nearly a case of repetition at this stage so I will be brief. When I looked at this amendment, I was surprised. I respect the right of Senator Moynihan and indeed any of her colleagues. I would never be against people tabling amendments. It is unfortunate that we have created a debate as if somebody on the Government side of the House had this in mind. This has come from an amendment from the Opposition. As far as I am aware, nobody is in favour of development on these open spaces. That is quite clear. I am p…

On the basis that it is misleading, I ask Senator Moynihan to withdraw the amendment. She has created a debate that is not necessary. The Minister has replied as to how the Phoenix Park is protected. She made some reference to the old site of the Meath Hospital, which is a completely different scenario. I ask the Senator to consider withdrawing it.

I welcome the fact that the Minister and his officials have taken account of the amendments tabled, first, by Senator Paul Daly from Fianna Fáil, and also Senator Lombard, who is present. It is important that we show the farming and rural communities that we have a Minister who does take into account what must be taken into account when dealing with climate change. I have had a number of calls from farmers in my constituency. I fought a lone battle in saying the Minister would take into consideration issues concern…

The Leas-Chathaoirleach can signal when he wants me to finish. I do not intend to go on for too long. Everybody here who talks about the just transition means well. This is not a tactic by the Opposition but if one looks at the voting records in this House when amendments are put forward on various issues, the reality is that nine times out of ten, the Opposition votes together. This is not so different to that. I do not criticise what the Minister has said today and I fully accept that when we use the phrase "just…

I fully respect Senator Higgins and she has great experience in this area but I have real reservations about putting in a minimum figure of 51%. We all want to get there but there are going to be great challenges in getting there. We need to bring people and the public with us and we are doing a good job in that. If the Minister starts by putting in a minimum of 51%, which I do not say is a bad idea, he will lose people in the process. This is a significant challenge for all politicians and we want to achieve it. I…

The Minister of State is welcome to the House. He, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Government have really put a lot of work into the Affordable Housing Bill which, despite all the recent brouhaha, was voted through with 101 votes while only eight Members voted against it. I hope the public will take heed of that. For whatever reasons, the Social Democrats voted against it while others abstained. When I think of the brouhaha in the media in recent days from some of those who abstained, I ask myself whe…

I thank the Cathaoirleach for this opportunity to raise an issue on the Order of Business. It is always good in these times to speak about good news. I very much welcome the announcement by the Department of Education yesterday confirming, at long last, that an agreement in principle has been reached with the HSE on a four-acre permanent site at the Parkmore estate in Ballinasloe for St. Teresa's Special School in Ballinasloe, County Galway. The school does fantastic work and its principal, Anita O’Reilly, staff, s…

Yes.

If no one else wishes to contribute, I call on the Minister of State. You are welcome.

I thank the Minister of State and the Senator. I know Senator Higgins has permission to move amendment No. 41 on behalf of the Labour Party Members so between Senator Moynihan and herself, how stands the amendment? Will they press it?

Amendment No. 54 is out of order.

Amendments Nos. 57 to 60, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together.

I would like to point out to all Members that any Member might have a genuine reason for not being in the House. I know the Senator did not mean it that way-----

I understand. That was just a clarification for the House.

Listening to the three speakers - Senators Warfield and Higgins, and the Minister, Deputy Ryan - the Minister has clarified the position for me. During the discussion the unfortunate situation was raised when we had three Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the past year or so but that did not change Government policy. We should remember that. Overwhelmingly, Dáil Éireann has voted for climate change. While I acknowledge the point being made by the speakers, as far as I am concerned the Minister has c…