Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na Seanadóirí go léir as an obair thábhachtach seo. I thank Senator Garvey and her colleagues for tabling this motion and, more generally, I thank all the Senators. It has been an informative and useful debate. We should never underestimate the significance or importance of such debates in the Seanad. They are important. We can never debate the issue of water enough, either in this House or in the Dáil. Moreover, I thank everyone for the passion they have brought to the debat…

I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for bringing forward this Bill. I know he has a deep passion for, and interest in, the future of Moore Street and the surrounding part of Dublin central, as we all do. I have listened carefully to what he has said. I share with him the same sense of the seminal importance of the 1916 Rising, its central place in the history of our State and of the importance of commemorating it and preserving the traces and memories that remain of the events that occurred at that time and of the men, women…

I visited the Wicklow Mountains National Park this week and I met Wesley Atkinson and Hugh McAlinden, two members of the National Parks and Wildlife Service team the Deputy knows. I witnessed at first hand very significant damage to the habitat there. It was quite disturbing to see it close up. I thank our team in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the fire service, An Garda Síochána, the Civil Defence and all who worked to tackle this blaze and are continuing to work throughout the country. Similar fires hav…

In terms of reassurance, it is important to note that significant conversations are taking place in regard to the next CAP strategic plan, looking at results-based payments for Natura 2000 sites, special protected areas, SPAs, and special areas of conservation, SACs. Those conversations are ongoing. It is fair to say that there has been a significant increase in investment in our national parks and nature reserves. We are employing additional park rangers and ecologists throughout the country. There is a significan…

Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh, agus guím Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan sona do cách. Cosúil leis an Seanadóir Craughwell, níl agam ach beagán Gaeilge ach táim ag déanamh iarrachta gach lá. I want to start by thanking Senators Warfield, Boylan, Gavan and Ó Donnghaile for tabling this motion. The exchange in the last contribution shows the level of emotion that exists in relation to this issue. I must say that that is welcomed. It is most important that we work together. There have been comments on the need to work …

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. We need to debate housing policies vigorously to ensure they are fit for purpose. There is so much at stake when we are faced with our housing crisis. It is incumbent on every party to put forward solid ideas that will deliver on the ground. Our national housing crisis demands a major response and this Government has stepped up to the mark, as pointed out by my colleague. The largest housing budget in the history of the State and the largest targets on record …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Her points on human health, business and the development of Arklow are well-raised. It also involves an area of mutual interest to me and the Deputy, the area of nature, biodiversity and the environment. There is no doubt that this project must be expedited. Since January 2014, Irish Water has had statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The prioritisation and progression of individual projec…

I will revert to the Deputy with a written response on the two specific items she raises. It may well be the case that additional costs are involved at this stage, given the delays to the project but I will provide a written response on that. It is important to note that we will enter into a new cycle of river basin management plans and projects similar to this one must be expedited to improve our water quality status, which deteriorated during the previous plan period. We are all very conscious of that fact. Plans…

I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this important issue, which is also close to my heart, and for giving me the opportunity to update the Seanad on progress in the roll-out of the Plean-IT project upgrading the IT system operated by An Bord Pleanála and the Local Government Management Agency's e-planning project. The operation of an efficient, up-to-date and fit-for-purpose planning system which facilitates easier public engagement and participation in the planning process is a key priority for my Department. The d…

The Senator has made useful suggestions. I will take on board the useful note that he provided to me. We know our city and county development plans are now aligned and moving in the same trajectory. I attended an open session on Kilkenny County Council's heritage plan, which was really fantastic. Members of the public have been drawn into an online portal, consult.kilkenny.ie , which is well worth a look. It is a good exemplar of what can be done in these times, particularly with regard to the level of engagement. …

I thank Senator Warfield for raising this important issue. I wish to point out at the outset that there is a crossover between the responsibility of my Department in terms of its oversight role in the Heritage Council, museum standards accreditation and so forth and the cultural heritage, which still falls under the remit of the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht. As with cultural institutions around the world, the national cultural institutions in Ireland hold books, art, archaeol…

There are structures in place now through the museums standards accreditation programme to try to oversee what both of us are aware is the very sensitive issue of repatriation. There have been precedents recently. The National Museum of Ireland permanently repatriated two tattooed Maori heads to the Te Papa museum of New Zealand. There is an ongoing programme but what is important in the issue the Senator has raised is that we have a standard and an accreditation process for our museums for the repatriation of what…

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. To highlight my Curragh credentials, my mother is a Newbridge woman and she met my dad, who served in the Defence Forces for 37 years, at a dance in Suncroft many moons ago. I have a great affinity for the Curragh. I will respond to the matter of the natural heritage area first. My Department has no role in the designation of national historic park sites, which are managed by the Office of Public Works, OPW. Any queries in respect to such a designation should be pursued …

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I am happy to work with the Senator and Kildare County Council to try and pursue our common set of objectives. The development plan process is a most important one. I have spoken to the heritage officer in Kildare County Council about this matter. While the Curragh has not progressed to legal designation, there is a proposed review of NHA networks. Within that, we could find some common ground, if one excuses the pun, in trying to pursue an objective that takes…

I also thank the House for agreeing to debate this motion. As just stated by the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, the purpose of the motion is to approve the draft text of an order to commence the Dumping at Sea Act 1996 that relates to the decommissioning of oil and gas facilities. As, unfortunately, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, cannot attend today due to prior commitments, I will address his Department’s rationale for seeking this commencement at this time on his behal…

While the formal transfer of heritage services to the Department was only finalised in September 2020, I am delighted to have the opportunity to reflect on how those services have responded to the challenges posed by Covid-19. The value and importance of our natural heritage has been appreciated as never before since March 2020. Our national parks and reserves protect a diversity of natural life and provide an invaluable resource which, I am proud to say, has remained open since the outset of the pandemic. I recogn…

This has been a very useful debate. I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward the Bill. I will begin by responding on some of the issues raised by Deputy Cian O'Callaghan. The local connection rule has been comprehensively dealt with. I was present when Deputy Joan Collins raised it last week during the Topical Issue debate. She played an audio clip of services trying to access beds for the night for a number of rough sleepers. It was very distressing and must be very distressing. I welcome the swift action taken by t…

He was earlier.

My officials and I are taking note of Members' remarks. We are taking this very seriously.

It is my understanding that there is a study being conducted on the-----