I am disappointed that these amendments will not be accepted. They are very simple basic amendments. Given the serious concerns we have heard about from everybody here this morning, I feel very disappointed that these amendments will not be accepted. I hope that the Minister of State will be open to some amendments because everything seems to be getting rejected at this point. We have put a phenomenal amount of work into this Bill and it feels like nothing is being addressed or even looked at. It is all very disapp…

I move amendment No. 69: In page 67, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “(ii) protect and enhance biodiversity,”.

I move amendment No. 70: In page 67, line 25, to delete “take account of the need to”.

I move amendment No. 72: In page 67, between lines 28 to insert the following: "(ii) the marine environment,".

I move amendment No. 73: In page 67, line 33, after "sectors" to insert "and regard for special areas of conservation and marine protected areas".

I am concerned that we are seeing a deeper erosion of local democracy and further centralisation. The move from a six-year local development plan to a ten-year one means that elected councillors who already do not have the powers may never get an opportunity to work on the development plan for their local area. This is a key reserved power. By diluting it, the Bill will further undermine local democracy at a time when it is widely accepted that local government needs more power, not less, to allow it to deliver for…

I move amendment No. 138: In page 104, between line 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(3) Elected members of the planning authority shall be able to consult independent legal and technical experts to assist them in their work on the creation of or review of the development plan.”.

I normally try to keep my final intervention before the recess quite light but I cannot do that today, unfortunately. I have to raise an issue that fills me with despair about the state we are in at this time. Another arson attack has been committed, this time in Coolock. This racism represents an existential threat to our democracy and public safety. It is very worrying. If asylum seekers are not treated with the dignity and respect they deserve as human beings, it will be corrosive to the democratic fabric of our…

I second the amendment.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Our planning system is a cornerstone of our democracy and should, at its core, be about how we build, maintain and enrich sustainable communities across the country. Our planning system should be democratic, accountable and participative and needs to be equipped to deal with the most pressing challenges of our time, including the climate and biodiversity crisis and the housing crisis. Unfortunately, the Bill before us will not equip us to deal with these crucial challen…

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I too welcome the recognition of Palestine this week and I commend the Government, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach for their work on this. However, I also thank my colleagues in the Opposition for their support of the Civil Engagement Group's arms embargo Bill yesterday. I thank them for listening to the voices of the Palestinians, who are calling out not just for a ceasefire, but an arms embargo to prevent Israel from acquiring the guns and bombs it is using to murder them. I thank them for listening to the hundred…