I thank Deputy O'Meara for raising this important issue. I am legally precluded from commenting on any particular planning cases. As already stated, the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, is leading the public consultation. That consultation will commence next month as opposed to next week. The Minister of State has already completed the interdepartmental consultation process, so his work on this matter is advancing quite rapidly. We are looking at all options as to what we can do to deliver. Modern methods of cons…

That is a different-----

I thank the Deputy. His question relates to the urgent review of the cut in funding for the social housing acquisition programmes, given its negative impact on key homelessness schemes such as the tenant in situ and housing first. Tenant in situ acquisitions have been an important measure in the prevention of homelessness since their introduction in 2023. The Government has therefore agreed to continue such acquisitions in 2025 and has increased the funding available for second-hand social housing acquisitions from…

I take the housing first programme very seriously. I engage with my officials daily in relation to homelessness, in particular, which is an absolute priority for me, both preventing people going into homelessness and people exiting homelessness. The housing first programme for people who have particular difficulties is something I am very aware of and have dealt with both as a TD and now as Minister for housing. It will continue to be an absolute priority for me.

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. I echo the comments made by the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and reassert the Government's commitment to tackling challenges in the housing sector and with regard to critical infrastructure. We know these challenges are having a very real impact on people's lives. We understand the urgency and the need to ensure sufficient homes are delivered to ensure people have safe, secure and affordable homes and that these homes are served by the physical and social infr…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework, as approved by the Government on 8th April, 2025; a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 22nd April, 2025 together with the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report, the Post-Consultation Natura Impact Statement, the Post-Consultation Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report, and the Appropriate Assessment Determination. I welcome the opportunity to come before the House to discuss and seek approval for the…

The housing adaptation grant was increased. The grant is very important, and we will be keeping it under review as we move forward.

I welcome the opportunity to reflect on the tremendous progress that has been made in water services in Ireland and the ongoing efforts of the Government and Uisce Éireann in this area. I assure the House that securing a safe and reliable water supply is a top priority for the Government, as is securing water services to facilitate housing development in all parts of the country. It is worth reflecting on the fact that in the last ten years Uisce Éireann has ramped up capital delivery for water services and infrast…

The Government opposes this Bill. I highlight the fact that the previous programme for Government included a commitment to introduce water conservation charges. Despite the commitment in that programme, Sinn Féin did not table any legislation to prohibit water conservation charges. Water conservation charges do not form part of the new programme for Government, yet we now see Sinn Féin tabling this legislation, wasting time and inventing a phantom to fight against rather than engaging in good faith. It is important…

When the previous Government proposed doing it, Sinn Féin did not bring forward any legislation because it was not on the front page of the national newspapers. Here, we have an opportunity for a little media attention, which is why Sinn Féin has jumped on it, even though it is the clear intention of this Government not to do so. The Government has no legal power to bring in water charges without additional legislation. It is extremely frustrating that we are dealing here with a distortion of the truth and a misdir…

There is no evidence of that.

They are already gone.

I have never heard such nonsense in my life.

The Deputy is confusing my frustration with the waste of time in this Chamber.

That was our position.

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "acknowledges that: — Housing for All sets out an ambitious multi-annual programme that seeks to deliver more than 300,000 new homes between 2022 and 2030; — more than 133,000 new build homes were delivered between 2020 and 2024, with 92,500 of these delivered between 2022 and 2024, exceeding the Housing for All target for the period by some 5,500 or so new homes, and a 49 per cent increase on the quantum delivered in the…

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Seanad today on the challenges we face as a country as we work to build on the progress achieved under the Housing for All plan and to secure a housing system that meets the needs of our society. I recently outlined a broad housing policy agenda in the Dáil with reference to the Government's work on the report of the Housing Commission. I hope to take a similar approach here today. In doing so, I will outline the progress achieved since Housing for All was published in Sept…

I thank my fellow scalder, Senator Cathal Byrne, for his kind comments. I know his family are very proud of him as well for being here in the Seanad. I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon. As with the recent debates in the Dáil, today's engagement will help to reform our approach to the challenges we face. Before drawing this afternoon's debate to an end, I reaffirm our commitment to tackling the many challenges in the housing sector. Housing has become a serious social challenge that is havin…

I condemn the reckless behaviour of the Opposition, a coalition of chaos determined not to serve the people but to sabotage the democratic functioning of this very House. Opposition Members' constant disruption of the Dáil is not protest but performance. It is a blatant attempt to undermine the very institution they claim to serve. Now, they stoop even lower, lodging a motion of no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle, an attack not on a person but on the integrity of this institution. The Ceann Comhairle has conducte…

Its members have reduced themselves to acolytes of Sinn Féin. What was once a party of principle has now lined up with populists and opportunists, lending its voice to this cynical circus and treating everything as a joke, as we have just heard. This House faces serious challenges including threats to the economy from tariffs and challenges in housing, healthcare and climate. The people want solutions not stunts. They expect leadership and not tantrums. We choose responsibility over rhetoric.