The Order of Business is No. 1, Digital Services (Levy) Bill 2024 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3.15 p.m. and to conclude after 90 minutes, if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 - Second …

I thank Senators for their best wishes and for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin rightly spoke about the victims of recent sexual attacks and Bláthnaid Raleigh and Natasha O'Brien giving up their anonymity. Natasha O'Brien is asking people to call out their peers and call out violence against women. This is an important message. Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about the Defence Forces and regretted that Dublin Pride withdrew the invite to take part in the parade from members of the Defence Forces. It is difficu…

I am very confident that the Government has chosen well over the years regarding the election of Cathaoirligh. Senator Conway spoke about water issues at Miltown Malbay, where there was no water during the past two weekends. It is regrettable. There are situations that arise from time to time. I am not sure of the intimate details in relation to what is going on at Miltown Malbay, but I know that situations arise from time to time in my own area. Certainly, I will ask the office to contact Irish Water, as I am sure…

I do not use it myself.

It would be worth exploring the possibilities and practicalities with regard to this issue. Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about CE schemes, which play a vital role across our country. I know we have had cases in the past regarding pension schemes, court challenges and all of that. I suppose this is in a similar vein. It goes back to whose job it is to pay pension or redundancy. Is it the job of the sponsor or of the Department? That is a debate I cannot answer but I know there is historical evidence there in relation…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re arrangements for Committee Stage of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1; and No. 3, Planning and Development Bill 2023 - Second Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 2, whichever is the later, with the time allocated …

I thank all the Senators for their contributions and their good wishes. I will certainly do my best on their behalf in the months ahead. Senator Fitzpatrick kicked off this morning with the issue of public safety and the deployment of gardaí. Safe streets are hugely important to all our citizens and there is a huge demand in respect of Garda numbers. Recruitment is always an issue. I welcome the increase in Garda recruitment in recent times, including the increased number of reserve gardaí graduating from Templemor…

Senator Craughwell asked that I contact the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence regarding whether it is appropriate for the Secretary General of the Department of Defence to be an ex officio member of an external oversight body. I will ask the office to contact the Tánaiste on this matter. It is quite a specific matter that could be raised by way of an amendment to the Bill or as a Commencement matter. The Senator feels strongly about it and will have the opportunity in the coming weeks to raise it on Committee Stage…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, in the event of the Second Stage of the Planning and Development Bill 2023 being completed on Thursday, 27th June, 2024, the Committee Stage of the Bill shall be taken on Monday, 15th July, 2024, and amendments proposed to the Bill shall reach the Clerk not later than 1 p.m. on Monday, 1st July, 2024.

Now.

Now.

I welcome the Minister of State. I acknowledge his work and that of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Ministers of State, Deputies O'Donnell and Burke, and all the officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage over many years on this comprehensive legislation. I acknowledge the work of the members of the Oireachtas joint committee, including Senator Cummins and Deputy Emer Higgins, who worked on this legislation for a number of years. Planning is fundamental to development and people like, e…

Section 278 refers to having sufficient interest in a matter, whether directly or indirectly materially affected by the matter, and also provides that certain parties are deemed to satisfy the requirement where certain circumstances or criteria apply. That is important for judicial reviews. I am going through the Bill. It is comprehensive. I am not sure whether this is outlined, but I will scrutinise it further, that is whether objections to planning applications are open to everyone. Unfortunately in some cases, p…

Either the local authority was overzealous in the reasons for which it refused permission for the project or An Bord Pleanála was very casual in its decision. Which is it?

Most applications may be refused for three or four reasons. If something is refused for 16 reasons, however, we must question who was at fault in respect of the project. That does not create confidence. People look to An Bord Pleanála as the supreme authority. Now, its members are human beings, not gods, and mistakes can be made, etc. This is important. I ask the Minister of State if consideration can be given to the aspect of the Bill concerning cases where An Bord Pleanála, or an coimisiún pleanála, is going to g…

The second Commencement matter is in the name of Senator of Malcolm Byrne. The Senator has four minutes.

I thank the Minister of State. Senator Byrne has one minute to respond.

The Minister of State has one minute to respond.

I thank the Minister of State.

I thank the Senator. The Minister of State has four minutes.