To reiterate, and this was debated extensively during Committee Stage of the planning Bill, it is the responsibility of local authorities and the planning authority, which is included in the development plan. Local authorities are required to develop a strategy for the provision of housing for the existing and future population of their area. Section 95 of the 2000 Act further requires: ... a planning authority shall ensure that sufficient and suitable land is zoned for residential use, or for a mixture of resident…

The purpose of land use zoning in the development plan is-----

-----to indicate the development plan objectives of the planning authority. Therefore, again, the function lies back with the local authority.

Yes.

We did.

I remind the Deputy that his party voted against the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and Land Development Agency Bill 2021.

As I recall, we did put the Vienna model into the programme for Government, and rightly so. It is being delivered through the cost-rental approach that has been developed by the Government. That is going to deliver over time. To reiterate, the issue the Deputy has sought to bring in through the planning Bill and again through this question relates to the function of the local authority around land use zoning in the development plan, to the housing strategy that local authorities deliver on and to the need to ensure…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 35 and 49 together. At its core, Housing for All seeks to significantly increase the supply of quality, affordable housing. The plan comprises a suite of priority measures to transform our housing system, secure its sustainability into the future and support the delivery of more than 300,000 new homes by 2030. This will see an average of 33,000 new homes delivered for each year of the plan, rising to more than 40,000 per year by the end of the decade. Securing the level of invest…

I thank the Deputy for his comments. It is encouraging to consider the really wonderful progress being made by Longford County Council. That progress is mirrored right across the country. There is no doubt that local authorities are showing ambition, led by the Government and underpinned by record funding, to deliver housing of all tenure types. In particular, the Government is conscious that delivering in rural communities is equally as important as delivering in the large urban centres. To that end, the funding p…

I thank Deputies Flaherty and Harkin for their contributions. Right across the country, we are seeing a significant increase in housing commencements. It is the responsibility of local authorities to show ambition. As I said, Housing for All is underpinned by record State funding. The local authorities, through their housing strategies, must ensure serviced land is available and that they are meeting the infrastructural requirements and meeting the demand that is there for all tenure types. Schemes like Croí Cónait…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together. As a key partner in the Government's delivery of affordable and social homes, the Land Development Agency is activating and securing the delivery of social and affordable homes in stalled planning consented developments, managing the State's own lands to develop new homes and partnering with local authorities to unlock delivery at scale on their lands. In the longer term, it will assemble strategic land banks from a mix of public and private lands, making these a…

The Deputy will appreciate that there are several complexities around the site, particularly in relation to the protected structures that are located on the front of the Columb Barracks site, which may be suitable for cultural and heritage use. I know the Deputy had discussions about this already during the tour he had. It is hugely important for the town of Mullingar that the potential for education, culture and heritage is a key focus. The site is also currently being used to accommodate Ukrainians under temporar…

Again, I appreciate the concerns that have been raised by the Deputy. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has given a commitment to meet with the LDA and interested parties to try to progress this. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not just a simple matter. These are heritage structures and require a conservation plan and a conservational approach to the restoration. It is not simply a matter of getting kitted or fitted out in some kind of temporary approach. It is important to take the right conservational a…

Gabhaim buíochas as an deis chun caint faoin dlí athchóirithe nádúir. I am thankful for the opportunity to speak on the nature restoration law. I will be sharing time with the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I will take 15 minutes and he will take five. As Minister of State with responsibility for nature, it is very important for me to hear the views of Deputies from across the House and to have an opportunity to engage in constructive and honest debate on what will, without doubt, be really transformative legislation for I…

I will get copies and send them across.

My officials are listening. I am sure they will get copies across now. Before I speak to my vision for the nature restoration law and the opportunities it represents for those individuals, their communities and the wider rural economy, I will deal with some of the misinformation that has been at play in this debate. That is what it has been: misinformation and, dare I say it, in some cases, scaremongering. In some other cases, there have also been deliberate attempts to whip up fear for what I can only assume is so…

Correct.

He has.

Yes.

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí go léir. First, I will try to sum up the points made in the ten minutes I have. I thank all Deputies for their contributions. It is somewhat disappointing that the main Opposition spokespeople for agriculture and the environment have all left the Chamber. We often get criticised in this Chamber for not having Ministers present for Dáil debates and it is disappointing they did not choose to stay for the remainder of the debate. I want to respond to the comments made by Deputy O'Rour…