There are a number of issues amalgamating here. One concerns the Office of the Planning Regulator. Has the Land Development Agency engaged with local authorities that currently are compiling their area, county or city development plans? We must learn from the past. We must not replicate the mistakes we made in previous generations. That is why, in section 77(2)(c), reference is made to the need to counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social backgrounds. As Senator Byrne said, we all …

In the context of the amendment, I understand and agree with the remarks of my colleagues. I do not envisage any of the lands in question being developed. I am thinking of Regional Park Ballincollig and Fitzgerald's Park in Cork. I have a question arising from the amendment about old, disused Garda barracks and Army buildings. Some retired members of our Defence Forces need housing. How can we use those types of dwellings to assist in the provision of housing for these men, in particular, who have served our State?…

I welcome Senator O'Reilly’s intervention. We should be having a wider debate on Senator Boyhan’s contribution in the context of how we can develop in tandem with the LDA to work in partnership with local authorities, the Army, the Garda or whoever in looking at different models around the development of housing. We should not be afraid to be ambitious and different. If this means having an honest conversation, let us have it. I often look at this, as a member of the Constitutional Convention. I think the Minister …

It is, in the context of public lands, for the purposes of this Bill.

I thought I was, in the context of developing housing on public lands. Killarney National Park was mentioned earlier and you did not come in at all.

I am sure you would not like to see public housing or any housing in Killarney National Park.

Exactly. The point Senator Boyhan has made should not be glossed over. We should come back to it however we can because there is merit in his suggestion.

I have huge understanding of where the Senator is coming from on this. It is critical we give local authorities and their members, irrespective of our constituencies or none, a key role in this. A point we should also dwell upon concerns the creation of the offices of the Land Development Agency in Cork, Dublin and Limerick, including how they are populated and their role and remit, in keeping with what Senator Boyhan has said. The Senator could have included in his amendment the whole thing around the office of th…

I accept and appreciate that. I accept I strayed. There is merit in what Senator Boyhan is trying to achieve. We want transparency but we should examine the role of the strategic policy committees on our councils and how they can be better populated to deliver better outcomes for councils.

The Minister did not mention the development of the offices. He might revert to me on that. The Land Development Agency website needs to be more up to date. The Minister might also revert to me on mapping exercise I spoke about. We have seen on the website the number of projects to be delivered. To go back to Senator Boyhan's remarks, many of the sites were the sites of old barracks. That reinforces the view, which I share, that they need to be developed. We need to be imaginative in our approach. The Minister migh…

Gabh mo leithscéal but I asked the Minister a question-----

I welcome the Minister of State. This is important legislation. It is about ensuring we deliver affordable housing on publicly owned lands. The hypocrisy of those voting against this Bill should be laid clear for everybody. They are opposing the sale and building of housing on public lands for citizens of our country. This is what the Opposition is doing in opposing the Bill. As has Senator Burke, I have misgivings about the LDA but I welcome the change that gives more power to local councillors and I thank the Min…

That is fine, and I did ask for clarification because I was surprised he wanted to have a second new tier.

"Split it into two" was the phrase he used and I am glad he clarified it. Housing is a generational issue. We must build more houses. There was an audit and mapping exercise done on State lands by the LDA. Please let us not have more procrastination. Let us have delivery. Let the Minister of State's legacy in the Department be one of acting, building and creating a platform for people to be able to have their own homes. This is a good Bill with regard to what we are trying to achieve. I have my reservations but I a…

Next Monday.

I wish to raise two issues with the Deputy Leader this morning. The first is in the context of attendance at championship matches. We all witnessed and welcomed the return of matches with crowds and spectators at the weekend. The pilot games were a success and we salute and congratulate Cumann Lúthchleas Gael on its successful handling of the matches in all the provinces. I call on Government today to increase the number of spectators who can attend sporting events. In particular, at the weekend we will have Cork v…

I ask that we amend the Order of Business for tomorrow to have a debate on the reopening of the country and the roll-out of the vaccination programme in the context of the decisions to be made by the Government. They are important decisions that should not be made in a vacuum but in a full, open and transparent manner that includes disclosure of the information that NPHET will give to the Government. I say that while welcoming the comment made by the Tánaiste this morning that it is not inevitable that we will not …

I propose that notwithstanding the order of the Seanad of Tuesday, 22 June 2021, the proceedings on the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 shall be interrupted after 20 speakers for 30 minutes, to allow for the sanitisation of the Chamber, and the order of debate shall resume thereafter.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. The old political cliché is that one day in government is better than any day in opposition. Today is the proof that government is where it matters. The Minister is in a position not just of privilege but of driving real profound change for the people of Ireland, for Europe and the world. The legitimacy of the Government is contained in this legislation today. I commend my friend and colleague, Senator McGahon, on his role as one of our party's representatives from the H…

The Cathaoirleach celebrated Luxembourg. I wish to celebrate LGBT Pride Month, which takes place every year in the month of June. Traditionally, people across the world celebrate with joyful and colourful abandon. However, because of a combination of Covid-19 and some draconian laws that have been passed, to which I will come in a minute, there is some fear and retraction of celebration. I ask that we have a debate in the House on the matter. I congratulate An Post, which has set a precedent with its beautiful comm…