No.

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. I will come back on some of the points that have been raised since I took over duty for the debate. Many of the points that have been raised did not relate to the content of the Bill. Deputy Michael Collins raised issues about rural housing, rural planning infrastructure and the Bantry floods. The Government notes the concerns of the communities affected by the floods. The Minister visited the area over the weekend. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae mentioned single cottages…

Our built, natural, architectural and cultural heritages are an intrinsic part of who we are. They provided our lifeline during the Covid pandemic. This Government has invested like never before, making the greatest investment in the history of the State. We have had another record budget this year, which underscores our commitment. Our core heritage funding has increased by almost €18 million to a total of €172 million, an increase of 11.5% on 2024. This includes €90 million in allocations for capital spending and…

If Senator Flynn wishes to speak that is okay.

I thank Senators Boyhan and Flynn for their contributions since I took over duty here. I want to reiterate the points around the rural housing guidelines. The Department is working on them. That is not to say that the existing rural housing guidelines are not in place at local authority level. All local authorities have to adhere to them and local needs. I take on board the points Senator Boyhan made about local families and maintaining the viability of family farms. Succession is one of the major issues affecting …

I will make a quick reply. Over the course of the debates on this Bill I am hearing contradictory remarks about the loss of local democracy and the handing over of powers to the OPC. What I spoke to Senator Flynn about was that local, democratic accountability around the delivery of Traveller accommodation, which is absolutely crucial. We cannot underestimate that. I also said that the Government's job is to ensure funding is in place for Traveller accommodation programmes. It is hugely important that when the LTAC…

Amendment No. 151 seeks to remove the erroneous referral to “development plan” in subsection (4) of section 77. Regional, spatial and economic strategies take account of regional development, while development plans deal solely with the development within each local authority area. Following the completion of the assessment by the Office of the Planning Regulator, it shall make a recommendation and a statement of reasons to the Minister as to whether a draft direction under section 79 should be issued. The Minister…

Amendments Nos. 152 and 154 propose to delete certain provisions within the Bill relating to the functions of the OPR in relation to development plans and other statutory plans and insert the requirement to have regard to certain plans and obligations in the performance of their functions. I am opposing any proposal to remove functions of the OPR as this would not be appropriate as these have been statutory functions of the OPR since its establishment and it is the body with the powers to carry out such functions. …

It is one for the manifesto.

Amendment No. 157 updates the definition of "Chapter 4 development” in section 82. As currently written, Chapter 4 development relates to development outside an urban development zone, UDZ, only. This has the effect that large scale infrastructure projects located in a UDZ would go to the planning authority for approval. This amendment removes the limitation on Chapter 4 development to development outside a UDZ, therefore ensuring that strategic infrastructure development in a UDZ goes to the commission for direct …

Allow me to explain.

As I said, the Government has adopted a policy-based approach in respect of LNG which allows it to carefully consider the implications of any measures that could interfere with either our energy or economic security. The Taoiseach announced in September 2019 that future exploration licences would be awarded for natural gas only. The energy security review published in April 2023 recommended policy measures to strengthen the security of Ireland's gas supplies in the medium to long term. The review sets out the asses…

To reiterate what I said earlier, the amendment does not introduce anything new. It is aligning the definition of-----

I referenced the energy security package the Minister, Deputy Ryan, spoke to last week. This concerns the consideration of the development of a State-owned LNG facility. It is not a very different proposal from a commercial LNG facility. Any such process will still have to go through public engagement through An Coimisiún Pleanála. There is a timeline for decision-making, full public participation and environmental assessment. I have outlined to the Senator the incredible achievements we have made. At the outset of…

I will start with Opposition amendments Nos. 170 to 172, inclusive, 177 to 179, inclusive, 184, 185 and 187. Amendments No. 170 and 172 seek to include reference to obligations under the climate Act into section 86, which sets out the matters to which the planning authority or commission shall have regard in considering an application. I cannot accept these amendments, as I have tabled my own amendment No. 175 in this regard, which I will get to presently. Amendment No. 171 seeks to provide that a planning authorit…

I am nearly there.

No.

Amendment No. 53 introduces a definition for "transport infrastructure" to section 17 and broadens the term "public transport" to include a reference to infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Amendments Nos. 54 to 56, inclusive, amend section 18. The section currently provides that where Part 3 requires publication of a notice stating that a matter will be made available for public inspection, it shall be made available for inspection for the stated period or where no period is stated a reasonable period. Sec…

I will address amendments Nos. 57 to 69, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 71, 72 and 74, as tabled by Senators Higgins, Ruane, Black and Flynn; and amendment No. 70, tabled by Senators Boyhan and McDowell. This group of amendments relate to Chapter 2 of Part 3 and the national planning framework. As the Senators will be aware, the Bill provides that the NPF will continue to spearhead the planning agenda in Ireland and sets out a plan-led system where all tiers of planning from a regional level to a local level align …

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 , 66 and 110 together. Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. The vacant homes action plan, which was published in January 2023, built on pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. Earlier this year, the Minister published an update on the action plan, which shows the significant progress that is being made. Data regarding vacant properties is available from a number of …