I tried to do some background research into this matter earlier because I was not terribly familiar with the scheme. I know the Deputy raised this issue a number of weeks ago. I thank him for raising it again this morning. I will outline the Department's response. The programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planni…

I assure the House of the Government’s commitment in respect of this important policy area of building defects, which is reflected in the programme for Government and in Housing For All. The Government is committed to dealing with the issue of defects in housing. In this regard, we will continue to drive regulation in the construction sector and more sustainable methods of construction in order to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. I am of the view that the issue of addressing defects in housing…

I thank Senator Garvey for bringing these questions to the House. It is one Commencement matter but I will try to address a number of points raised by the Senator. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has responsibility for the overall policy relating to water services and Irish Water but the Water Advisory Board is independently tasked under the Water Services Act 2017 with reviewing Irish Water's performance on a number of key measures. These include measures needed to …

We do indeed. That is why the Government has committed a record capital funding in budget 2022 to support Irish Water's capital investment programme. There is significant investment. It will take time for projects once they are brought forward to go through tendering and so on. Once local authorities are working with Irish Water and show ambition around delivering those projects, it is critically important that we do get that infrastructure in place. I have the water quality in Ireland report 2020. There are signif…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 24th November, 2021.

I thank all Deputies who contributed to this important motion. I am certainly conscious, as we all are this evening, particularly in light of the storm, of the incredible resource of our emergency services and fire services across the country. We thank them all for the work they are putting in. There has been extraordinary work across the country to keep people safe, to get services up and running and to keep people moving, which is critical. We appreciate all of that. I will try to respond to some of the questions…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo. We spoke about this earlier this morning as we came into Leinster House and it is something about which both of us feel very strongly and passionately. Senator Boyhan is correct in saying that it is critically important that members of the public have an ability to participate in our planning system and to feel that they have access to environmental justice. The Aarhus Convention is there for that. I was among one of the first plaintiffs to challenge to the provi…

In summary, again, I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator on this matter. We see how strongly members of the public and communities feel about environmental and planning issues when we see them out on the streets protesting against a planning decision or a particular development. That is an important part of our democratic system. Equal to that, they have to have parity to be able to participate in our planning system and to have the knowledge and expertise at their disposal and to be able to give fair and informe…

I thank Senator Dooley. Similar to the situation right across other counties, it is a hugely traumatic time for these families and I acknowledge that. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has been deeply committed to resolving this since taking up office. He has acted with a great sense of purpose in establishing the working group. That working group is not directly representing the families the Senator refers to in County Clare, but it is a representative group that has …

I will give that assurance again. The Senator is absolutely correct in saying there is a deep commitment by the Department at ministerial level and at official level to resolve this. The Donegal and Mayo scheme was to set a template for other counties. The fact that we now have an enhanced scheme gives the opportunity for Clare County Council to work with the Department to ensure that County Clare is included as soon as is practicable. That is what we all want to achieve. We want to give some assurances and hope to…

No.

I move amendment No. 1: In page 23, line 33, to delete “ (8) ” and substitute “ (10) ”

Amendment No. 2 is the substance of this grouping. It provides clear Oireachtas oversight over the making of a marine planning policy statement. It proposes that a draft marine planning policy statement shall be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and will be subject to a resolution. This amendment also makes it clear that the marine planning policy statement is subject to the appropriate assessment and strategic environmental assessment requirements, as amended. The Minister, in the preparation of the marine …

I will have to revert to the Deputy on that question.

I move amendment No. 2: In page 23, between lines 37 and 38, to insert the following: "(2) Where the Minister proposes to prepare a marine planning policy statement, he or she shall lay a draft of the statement, together with the Environmental Statement and Appropriate Assessment Determination in respect thereof if required, before each House of the Oireachtas, and shall not prepare the statement until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House. (3) The Minister shall, in the preparation…

I move amendment No. 3: In page 24, to delete lines 10 and 11 and substitute the following: "(f) the Habitats Directive; (g) the Birds Directive; (h) any current policy of the Government relating to maritime planning; (i) representations (if any) referred to in subsection (10) .".

I move amendment No. 4: In page 25, to delete line 25 and substitute " (i) .".

I move amendment No. 5: In page 25, line 40, to delete " (f) ." and substitute " (i) .".

I move amendment No. 6: In page 27, line 4, to delete "section 34" and substitute "Part III". As discussed on Committee Stage, the amendments proposed to section 12 at the time were aimed at ensuring that, as a result of the repeal of Part XV of the Planning and Development Act, existing development rights conferred on sites by virtue of an existing grant of permission were not lost, or that persons that had entered into the planning process pursuant of the Part were provided with the opportunity to continue with t…

As I stated regarding amendments Nos. 6 and 7, it is just to better reflect the text in subsection (2). It is just for clarity.