There are 57 amendments today, so do not start giving out about that later.

I, too, welcome the visitors to the Gallery. It is great to have them here. On Senator Higgins's comments, I am sure the picture she is trying to present of this legislation having an impact in terms of the environment is well meaning but it is not grounded in fact. I am sure the Minister of State will confirm that in his comments. The Bill specifically says the Minister may appoint over and above 14 members, with specific reference to fulfilling its duty and objectives under various sections of the 2001 Act. They …

Using language such as "power grab" is unhelpful. The Minister of the day is accountable to the Seanad and Dáil and it is here he or she is held to account. We had a debate on this matter at the joint committee and there were differing views on it. My opinion is that the Dáil appoints the Minister, he or she has responsibilities and we Oireachtas Members hold him or her to account in respect of those responsibilities. We cannot ignore that there have been shortcomings in the panel system. To say otherwise and prese…

Does Senator Higgins not believe the Minister?

I will be brief. On my behalf, but more particularly on behalf of my dad, Maurice Cummins, who served with Terry from 2011 to 2016 and was a great friend of Terry’s over many years, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the Brennan family on such a sad loss. We should not be on our phones, I know, but I was texting my dad during the tributes and pretty much everything everybody has said my dad was echoing in messages back to me. Terry was a Member who was loved on all sides of the House, regardless of political …

Senator Warfield referenced a rent freeze, which Sinn Féin often does, but as I have said before, we do not have to look too far away from here to Berlin, where a left-wing government introduced a rent freeze. What did that result in? It resulted in a 50% reduction in the private rental stock available on the market. Not only that but it was struck down by the Federal Constitutional Court not long after that. What is contained in this Finance Bill is a tax credit for renters. It is €500 for this calendar year of 20…

I thank the Minister in particular for the measures introduced as part of the Finance Bill on the living city initiative. It is one of the areas that I would have engaged with him on. The fact that it has been extended from the end of this calendar year to the end of 2027 is hugely welcome. I looked at some of the statistics earlier this year for Waterford and 76 properties had availed of the living city initiative – 24 owner-occupiers and 52 rental properties. We can of course, as Senator Buttimer said, go further…

What about the map?

I re-emphasise Senator Burke's point. It is an issue a number of farmers in my area, Waterford, have brought to my attention. They are interested in making their landholdings available for solar farms, but there is the fact that their payments are lost in that context. It is a big leap for them, obviously, to commit to leases of 25 or 30 years on their lands, given the fact that once their farming payments are gone they are gone for ever. If the land were ever to revert to its former use, they would be at a loss. T…

Fine Gael and this Government understand that businesses as well as people are facing difficult and uncertain times with their energy bills. That is why we introduced the three cycles of a universal energy credit of €200 in budget 2023 and why we introduced the temporary business energy support scheme, which is now open for applications. It is one of the biggest measures introduced in budget 2023 and was introduced to protect businesses at this difficult time. It provides funding for 40% of the increase in energy b…

I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

I welcome the Minister and thank him for choosing Seanad Éireann as the venue for the introduction of this very important legislation. The Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill provides for the efficient discharge of business of An Bord Pleanála; I will touch on that shortly. It also makes some minor amendments to the Foreshore Act 1933 to ensure that the body of water above the seabed is included in the definition of the foreshore. Along with other Members, I attended the briefing with department…

I welcome the news announced on Monday regarding my county of Waterford and the signing of the public infrastructure contract for the North Quays project. This is a game-changing development for the heart of Waterford city. This contract includes the provision of a new bridge from the Clock Tower to the North Quays area, new road interchanges onto the site and a new transportation hub that will facilitate the relocation of the train station to the centre of the North Quays. Waterford City and County Council is also…

I thank the Minister of State for bringing forward what is probably the least controversial legislation there possibly could be. To be frank and honest, this is important legislation. It brings together three very important organisations that already have great synergies. It makes sense to combine them into one new agency, Tailte Éireann. As we know, the Valuation Office provides ratepayers and local authorities with up-to-date and accurate valuations, which are essential for the proper functioning of local governm…

Next Tuesday.

Now.

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2022, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 2nd November 2022.

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. It is good to see him with us and back in full health. I thank the Minister of State for introducing these regulations, which seek to put temporary change of use in place to accommodate those seeking international protection or seeking temporary protection from the illegal war which is being waged by Russia in Ukraine. We are all acutely aware of the challenges being placed on all countries across Europe as a result of those who are fleeing war and Ireland is no di…

I concur with what the Minister of State has said but I assume that we could keep this under consideration and that if such an issue were to arise in the future, we could look at amending, if necessary, our regulations in this area to put people at ease. The concerns Senator Boyhan has expressed are, I am sure, felt by others. If we could at least indicate that if such issues were to arise in the future, we would look at that them at that stage, that would be helpful.

Next Tuesday.