I welcome the Minister. Today is an important milestone in the history of the Irish financial system and its management by successive Ministers for Finance over the 100 years of our independent national story. In the early years of independence, some foreign and domestic commentators scoffed at the ability of the Irish State to build and manage a successful economy. There are many global challenges that saw newly independent governments across Europe and the rest of the world fail in that responsibility. The Republ…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon.

I welcome both Ministers of State to the House. It is nice to have the two Ministers responsible for the introduction of the Bill in the Chamber. There are no excuses for any more delays. I welcome Councillor Murphy as well. The EU already boasts some of the most stringent consumer protection regulations in the world. Recent incidents such as the dieselgate scandal, however, have revealed the challenges in fully enforcing these rules. In response, the EU has introduced a new law spanning all member states to addres…

Next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Amendments Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

That is correct.

Amendments Nos. 14 to 17, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Acceptance of this amendment involves the deletion of section 50 of the Bill.

Amendments Nos. 22, 23 and 26 are related and will be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 24, 25, 27, 28, 32 and 34 are related and may be discussed together.

I welcome the Minister of State. Most of us in this House started our political careers as councillors. We have an understanding of the work they do and the role they play in communities. We must recognise that role. I do not agree with everything Senator Keogan said but I agree there has been a diminishment of the powers of councillors, not just under this Government but under previous governments as well. The Putting People First policy probably was the start of it. I looked at that in a positive way initially bu…

When it comes to rural planning, we must remember that we are dealing with people who want to build homes on their own land. That is not the same as development and it should be looked at in a slightly different way.

I welcome the Deputy Leader. I wish to raise two issues, one of which relates to some of our larger or medium-sized towns in rural Ireland where there is no internal public transport link. While we have transport to destinations such as Dublin, Cork or Galway, there is no internal bus service within those towns, whether that might be used by children going to school in the morning, by older people trying to get their shopping done or just to allow people to commute around the towns. Wicklow town has made a proposal…

I welcome the Deputy Leader. I am returning to an issue that I have raised before regarding the national planning framework and how it arrived at its population growth figures, and, more importantly, how those figures were distributed regionally and on a county-wide basis. Something I predicted is now happening live in County Wicklow, as in the first planning application for 98 houses has been refused solely on the grounds that it exceeds the population target for that area. The plan was only adopted in October of …

That is fine. It is what we are here for.

Before I come back in for another round, I will take this opportunity to welcome Councillor Brian Fitzgerald, a former Deputy, with his wife Noeleen. I extend a special welcome to their granddaughter, Andrea. They are here with Senator Keogan. I hope they enjoy their visit.

Okay.

Does the Minister wish to come back in?

I apologise. Senator Fitzpatrick wanted to come in.