Senator Daly might have a job finding the hair as I do not have much left. I thank him for raising this interesting point. I also thank him for his kind comments at the outset, which were appreciated. I advise that the Water Services Acts set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Uisce Éireann. These services, including the water connection policy, are matters for Uisce Éireann, which has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and o…

I fully appreciate and respect the Senator's bona fides on this and other matters to do with agriculture. I know he has always been a strong advocate. As Minister of State, I want to ensure that common sense applies to any measure I am involved in. Under the legislation, however, these are matters for Uisce Éireann and the CRU. A dialogue commenced earlier in the year where submissions were invited on non-domestic charging for customers. People were able to feed into it and take these matters on board in the contex…

Is that the bells ringing just now?

It is up to you.

The Senator can do so. We will take the reply when we come back.

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this matter and for the opportunity to provide an update on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. As the Senator rightly pointed out, there is currently an interim scheme for people with fire safety defects in their apartments and duplexes where they can and, indeed, are drawing down money to complete remedial works on their homes. In December 2023, the then Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, announced the …

Yes, it has been a lengthy process but it is important to state that the work that has been done will be banked work, which will benefit all of the interim and statutory processes in future. On the new statutory scheme that will replace the interim scheme, the Minister received Government approval on 18 September for the priority drafting of the apartment and duplex remediation Bill. Drafting the Bill will enable the establishment of the statutory scheme and it is progressing. Various issues requiring legal advice …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the challenges we face to secure a housing system that meets the needs of our society. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, and I will set out how we are building on the progress made in recent years under the Housing for All plan to address the serious housing challenges touching every family in this country, and the Minister, Deputy Browne, will give concluding comments. He is doing media engagements at the moment. Building new homes is a top priority for this Government…

We had a quorum when we started.

It is quite astonishing there is nobody here from the Opposition during statements on housing, despite the fact it is the most important issue facing this country.

That is very good. Nice of you to join us.

Perfect. The Department is undertaking a review of the exempted development provisions, which will provide further options for provision of housing. A public consultation process will commence this month and updated regulations will come into force later this year. The commencement of Part 17 of the Planning and Development Act to establish An Coimisiún Pleanála to replace An Bord Pleanála is imminent. It will build on the work under way to reduce cases on hand, which have fallen from 3,616 in May 2023 to 1,364 in …

They cannot.

He will be here.

He is on the "Six One" news at the moment.

He will be here in a minute.

We are.

It will be introduced this year.

It will be introduced this year.

No.