I have tabled an amendment to this section and I would like clarification on whether it will be discussed now. The amendment tabled by Senator Warfield speaks to the Government's objective of trying to have not-for-profit State-led and State-sponsored provision of affordable housing. I ask the Minister of State to give strong consideration to accepting this exact wording, or certainly to incorporating the principles of the proposal in the legislation. It is reflective of the Government intentions. May I speak on my…

It will add confidence to the Opposition with regard to its concerns about the Government's intentions. We will speak to it when we get to it.

I also appeal to Senator Warfield to withdraw this amendment. I believe the Senator understands the housing crisis. His friends are affected by it and I believe they would want every power and asset of the State to be used to help them secure an affordable home. If this amendment is made, it will curtail the powers of the Land Development Agency, which is being established as a statutory agency, to maximise State-owned lands to deliver affordable homes. We know that our housing crisis is characterised by two elemen…

Several important issues have been raised with regard to increasing the affordable supply and the proposal from Senator Higgins on public-public partnerships. This is all about the State taking the lead in the provision of affordable housing. When debating the previous amendment, the indication from the Minister of State was on expanding it from local authorities to NGOs and not-for-profit organisations. Our amendment will put into legislation a requirement on local authorities to publish affordable housing targets…

The purpose of Senator Warfield's amendment is to replace the words "counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social backgrounds" with "promote sustainable mixed income communities". I agree with two points that have been made. The existing language makes me uncomfortable but we are all uncomfortable with it on foot of the historical situation. The legacy of the past is that there has been segregated housing; it was the tradition. With this Bill, we are trying to change entirely the prov…

I move amendment No. 15: In page 8, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “(6) In performing its functions under subsections (1) and (5) , a housing authority shall— (a) prepare and publish plans relating to periods of three, five and ten years (in this section referred to as a “housing authority affordable housing plan”) which shall specify measures the housing authority shall undertake— (i) to make dwellings available for the purpose of sale to eligible applicants under affordable dwelling purchase ar…

I am disappointed that the Minister of State is not accepting the amendment as is but I welcome the fact that he accepts the thrust of it. It is obvious there was unanimous support in the Chamber. This is a practical amendment that will greater strengthen the legislation. I, too, welcome the housing need and demand assessment. It is a long overdue tool. I am delighted that it is in place. It can greatly enable us to tackle the housing crisis, but it is only one side of it. That tells us the housing need. We are pro…

I withdraw my amendment on the basis that the Minister of State will incorporate it in the next Stages.

This day three years ago, a majority of voters voted to amend Bunreacht na hÉireann to repeal the eighth amendment and make abortion services freely, legally and safely available for women. Following on from that in 2018, the legislation was introduced and in 2019, abortion and the termination of early pregnancy became legally and safely available to women. It has worked for many women in crisis pregnancies but the legislation is not perfect and the provision of early termination of pregnancy services is not perfec…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him again on his role as having responsibility for heritage. I concur with Senator Garvey that he has brought great energy and enthusiasm and insight to the area of heritage which is what we need. We have a very rich heritage, built and natural, and I have full confidence that he as Minister of State in the Department will really champion heritage over the course of the Government. The Fianna Fáil group will support the Bill. It provides for the transfer…

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed female cancer in Ireland. More than 440 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Ireland every year and, sadly, more than 27 of them die. Ireland ranks among the highest countries for female mortality due to ovarian cancer. It is known as the silent killer because it is hard to diagnose, the symptoms can often be confused with other conditions and late diagnosis makes it very difficult to treat and cure. I recently met a woman whose sister had been treated for r…

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

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Access to secure affordable housing is one of the most immediate and urgent challenges facing young people, modest income earners, workers and families in Ireland today. The Minister and the Government recognise that fact. The Minister also recognises that over the past ten years housing supply dropped, house prices inflated and homelessness exploded. I commend him and the Government for all of the actions they have taken to date. The cost of r…

Tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving time to the House to debate my Commencement matter that calls for action by the Minister for Finance to increase the affordability and supply of housing for our citizens by introducing tax measures that will address the activities of private investment funds in the housing market. I specifically call for the Minister for Finance to end tax incentives for investment funds to facilitate the wholesale purchase of first-time buyer's homes, and ask him to apply a financial penalty to…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit for his response. I acknowledge that Cabinet is meeting today and that this item is on the agenda and will be addressed. We all must remind ourselves, however, of what the purpose of tax is. The purpose of tax is to raise income to invest in essential community services and supports. In this instance, the tax system is undermining the State's investment. It is encouraging activity that undermines the State's investment in the provision of secure and affordable homes. I urge the M…

Today I wish to remember someone who lived in the Dublin Central constituency. He was a visionary, a leader, a true revolutionary, and an innovator of unparalleled intellect, integrity and modesty. I would like to remember Seán Lemass. He grew up on Capel Street. He attended O'Connell boys' school on the North Circular Road where he was an excellent student. He fought in the GPO in 1916, the War of Independence and the Civil War. Along with Eamon de Valera in 1926, he tried to convince Sinn Féin to recognise the Fr…

This week, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, proposed to Cabinet the most comprehensive affordable housing legislation in the history of the State. It proposes to change the direction of the State's role in the provision of housing in Ireland. This is an important development, not just for Government, but for society at large. We are coming out of a decade of under-provision of housing and the housing crisis has never been more profound. Radical change is needed. The B…

I thank the Minister for joining us. I also thank her for the tremendous work she has done as Minister since taking office. She has brought new energy, creativity, resilience and professionalism to the role and to her Department. It has certainly been noticed by the schools and the education community in the Dublin Central constituency in which I live and across the country. I commend the Minister for that and thank her for making time to come to the Seanad today. We appreciate that the Minister's time is precious.…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank him for coming here to respond to my Commencement matter, which speaks to the need for the Government to provide financial and other supports to the taxi service industry. I congratulate the Minister of State and the Government. Today is a hopeful day. The announcement yesterday was very welcome to all sectors of industry and community and we are all looking forward with much greater hope today than we have been for a long time. I commend the Minister of State a…