I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter in relation to Newport and wider infrastructure and wastewater in County Mayo. At the outset, I advise that Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. Neither the Minister, Deputy Browne, nor I have operational function in local issues in Mayo to which the Deputy referred. Both our water and wastewater systems require substantial and sustained investment over…

It is unacceptable that any wastewater treatment plant in the country is having a negative impact on the environment. That is why we are investing significant sums of money, as I outlined, in County Mayo and right across the country in order to try to address those matters. The Deputy said he has engaged on these items. I can tell him what I have done as Minister of State. I have had a number of engagements with MARA to try to iron out the issues in relation to the MUL system where there were significant backlogs, …

It is the intention of Uisce Éireann to ensure it has the MAC application in by the end of quarter 4. It is also important to note that it is simultaneously working on progressing the design in relation to the treatment plant. That is what we want to see as a Government. We want to ensure we have projects that are progressing, not only so that when one stage ends another starts. We want to have simultaneous work ongoing across all of our agencies-----

----because you have to do more than one thing at a time. That is what is happening here with Uisce Éireann and its ability to be able to progress the design in relation to this project while awaiting and submitting the documentation in relation to the MAC application.

I thank Deputy Ward for raising this matter and for speaking to me about this item earlier. I know he has also engaged with the Minister, Deputy Browne, on this matter and the concerns it raises for residents and the owner management company of The Crofton apartments, Dún Laoghaire. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decision of 18 January 2023 approved the development of supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartments, including duplexes…

As Deputy Ward will appreciate, I cannot give a blanket commitment on the floor of the Dáil this evening, but I can give a commitment to engaging with officials in the broader context of the policy issues that have arisen as a result of the Deputy's raising this item with both the Minister, Deputy Browne, and me and in putting this Topical Issue before the Dáil this evening. I thank him for doing that. It is important to note the significant scale of the remediation scheme, which will be underpinned by legislation,…

At the outset, I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for raising this important issue this morning. I am acutely aware of the strong interest that exists within this House in matters relating to local government. Members have consistently demonstrated their commitment to strengthening local democracy and supporting local authorities in their vital role. As Minister of State with responsibility for local government and a former councillor for many years, I greatly value and appreciate the ongoing advocacy and engagement that …

As Minister of State with responsibility for local government, I can assure the Senator that extensive work has been undertaken by officials in the Department since the task force presented its recommendations to the Minister, Deputy Browne, and me. As she can imagine, it is a very detailed report, for all of the reasons I set out in my initial response. As a result, we have to carefully examine all of those recommendations and put an effective implementation plan in place. The boundary review element requires a Go…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 3) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 4) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 5) Regulations 2026, Planning and Deve…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Licensing of Outdoor Events) Regulations 2026, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 2nd July, 2026.

I move: (i) That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders, the Order of the Dáil of 7th July is hereby discharged. (ii) That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Orders in draft: (I) Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 3) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2…

I acknowledge the survivors and their families who are with us today in both Galleries and those who may be watching from home. This day belongs to you. Your courage in coming forward, your determination to pursue the truth and your perseverance in seeking justice deserve our deepest respect and admiration. For many years you fought for what should never have been so difficult to obtain. You fought to be heard, you fought to be believed and you fought for accountability. Above all, you fought for justice. That burd…

Following its successful passage through Dáil Éireann, I am pleased to bring the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 before the Seanad. The main purpose of this important Bill is to support and facilitate the smooth commencement and implementation of the remaining provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024. I anticipate that the remaining provisions of the Act of 2024 will be brought into effect later this year. Additional proposed provisions to this Bill intend to provide clarity and to introdu…

I thank Senators for their engagement with the Bill. As I said in the Dáil Chamber, it is not lost on me that people have made the criticism that there is not sufficient time, yet the only people I am speaking to in this Chamber are members of the Government, and there is no Opposition present. It is a fair observation to say that at the outset. The provisions referred to in my opening contribution are there to help accelerate the implementation of the 2024 Act, which is of the utmost importance. Regarding the comm…

At the outset, I will address the timing piece. I am not saying this to be provocative, but I have to put it on the record that I stood here last Thursday and concluded my contribution to an empty Chamber. We finished 30 minutes ahead of schedule. I have to say that because we made sufficient provision for debate on Second Stage. I am happy to debate the substance of any of the amendments. I am aware also that a couple of the sections are opposed. The amendment tabled by Deputies Ó Broin and Gould seeks to insert a…

I thank the Deputies. As a general point, my priority is to ensure the Planning and Development Act 2024 is enabled and that we have all provisions in force before the end of this year. To do that, I have to pass legislation that will enable the transitionary pieces to occur. That is the purpose of the Bill before us. If I cannot progress this to conclusion, it means a further delay in the implementation of the substantive Act, which both the Deputy and I spent a considerable period of our lives in the committee ro…

It is the statutory element of it, as the Deputy will appreciate.

Of course we will be monitoring this provision, as we do every measure we implement in the Department. We are acutely conscious this is a viability measure. We will get into the substantive debate on it when debating the section. It is in our interest to ensure it is being utilised. If this activates one apartment development, it will be a good measure. That is what I will base this on. I am in the business of ensuring apartment developments get built. If this measure activates even one apartment development provid…

I thank the Deputy for acknowledging my youth.

I propose to discuss these sections together as the amendments are linked. Sections 61 and 62 are connected and operate together. It is important that both stand as part of the Bill. Section 61 is a technical clarifying amendment to the definition of material alteration in section 138 of the Act of 2024 to add a cross-reference to the new section 138A as inserted by section 62 of this Bill. Section 62 inserts a new section 138A into Chapter 5 of Part 4 of the 2024 Act in relation to alterations of existing permissi…