As this is my first contribution in the House, I ask for its indulgence for a moment as I thank my wife, my family, my friends, my supporters and the Fine Gael members who have assisted me in recent years and, in particular, during November's election campaign. Most importantly, I wish to place on record my thanks to the people of Waterford, who have placed their trust in me, and to the Tánaiste for appointing me as Minister of State with special responsibility for planning and local government. I very much look fo…

I again thank Deputy McAuliffe for raising this important issue. I assure him that, from the information I have been provided with, a dialogue is occurring in order to try to find a satisfactory resolution. As he is aware, this is a very important development for the area. It is being delivered under Housing for All. We are committed to ensuring that it will be delivered in good time and in full compliance with the building standards. Doing so will ensure that the best outcome will be achieved for the taxpayer and …

I thank everybody for their contributions. I reassert the Government's commitment to tackling the challenges we collectively face in the housing sector. As a 37-year-old, I am acutely aware of the impact these challenges have on my generation and those younger than me. I have taken note of some of the suggestions and points made by Deputies and I will touch on a couple of them. Standardised templates were referenced. They have been in place since 2022 for all social housing projects. Reference was made to the singl…

Many Senators in this Chamber are very passionate about the issue of school places for children with additional needs. In my teaching career before I came into this House, I had the opportunity to see how it really works in practice and it works well. My own school had three ASD classes and those students were fully integrated with the wider school population in the teaching of all the main subjects. I have seen the benefits both for students with additional needs and for the wider school population as regards teac…

I again raise the issue of a debate on national aviation policy. I have asked five or six times at this stage for the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, or the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, to come into the House. In light of comments the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, made in the Dáil Chamber last week, I would like it scheduled for the week we return after the mid-term break. It is essential that we have that debate, not just focused on Waterford Airport. I am sure other Members want to discuss aviatio…

I want to make a number of points on the section related to the definitions in the Bill. I welcome this long overdue legislation to reform part of the Seanad. The Minister has been quite clear, as has the Minister of State, that this is a process. This is not the end of what Seanad reform will be but it is a significant stepping stone. I am fortunate enough to have voted in the 2009, 2014 and 2019 Seanad elections. I was elected in 2009, 2014 and 2019 and in the Seanad elections in 2011, 2016 and 2020. I have had t…

I thank the Minister of State for taking the Commencement matter. She will agree that the work civil registration offices do daily to register births, deaths and marriages is invaluable. The staff in all of these offices are to be commended on the work they do. She will also agree with the importance of this essential service being located in areas that are easily accessible to the public and do not place an undue burden on the public when seeking to access such services, especially given the sensitivities around r…

It is actually health.

I thank the Minister of State for her response but unfortunately it does not address the matter sufficiently. This is a staffing issue, yes. For some bizarre reason, the HSE is responsible for the staffing in these offices even though civil registration is actually under the remit of the Department of Social Protection. In the first line of her response, the Minister of State mentioned registration in a timely manner. That cannot happen in the Waterford offices at present. First, it cannot happen it in Dungarvan an…

The Leader is aware that I sought a debate with the Minister for Transport and the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, on aviation policy. This is the fifth occasion that I have used the Order of Business to seek such a debate. My understanding from the previous response I received was that the request has gone in from the Seanad Office every time but that to date no timescale has been given. That is an insult to this House. It is unacceptable. The Minister or the Minister of State must come before this House to hav…

I welcome the fact that today 49 cost-rental units will be advertised in Mountneil in Waterford city. These are being delivered by a local developer in partnership with Tuath Housing Association and Waterford City and County Council. These 49 A-rated three-bedroom and two-bedroom homes are being delivered at rents ranging from €1,000 to €1,200 depending on the size of the property. This is a really welcome boost for the rental supply market. It is the second cost-rental scheme that is being delivered in Waterford, …

Hear, hear.

I apologise to the Minister for his sitting in the chair for the last three hours without getting to speak. I promise I will be brief in my points. I feel left out of the conversation this morning, so felt the necessity of contributing. I will bring it around the amendments and sections we are dealing with. Section 46 deals with housing development strategies and section 52 is on settlement-specific objectives. Obviously, the feed-through of any development plan which we are debating in these sections is the abilit…

It is unfair to target a Member like that.

Hear, hear.

The Senator has made a valid point. We are not going to solve it on Committee Stage, so perhaps it can be brought to the attention of the Attorney General. I suggest we deal with the issue on Report Stage by ensuring that in circumstances where a third party has purchased a premises and has had nothing to do with giving false or misleading information, in the limited circumstances where that would occur, the permission could not be revoked.

I commend my colleague, Senator Currie. She has been consistent on this matter. We understand the importance of the infrastructure. If the Minister of State does not accept Senator Currie’s amendment, perhaps he can take it upon himself to table an amendment on Report Stage that would adequately address the balance between the importance of the infrastructure and the right of the community to have its say on any infrastructure erected in its area. I welcome that Senator Currie moved this amendment. It has given us …

On a point of information, I did not want to interrupt a colleague but I am seeking clarity. Are we supposed to be dealing with a group of amendments here?

Since yesterday morning, I have heard people talking about the debate being cut short. However, hours have been wasted on repetitive points and points that have zero relevance to the actual amendments we are discussing.

I ask colleagues to be mindful of the groupings. There are plenty of opportunities to make points, but Members are not speaking to the actual grouping.