They find themselves at the edge of their own political party and many of them have had to leave and take another road. Some others have stayed and I admire them too. They face difficulties. They have engaged with me, someone who is not a member of the Green Party but supports many of its aspirations. I have always been willing to engage. Those of them who are listening to today's debate know who they are. I thank them for their continuous efforts, emails and communication with me and others in this House. They hav…

I absolutely do, as is my wont. I will just reply. I take the Minister's point about respectful politics. I agree on that. The Minister has always operated on that basis and I acknowledge that. It is disappointing he is not accepting the amendments because, as I said earlier on, they were on the schedule for debate in the Dáil so they are not new in this House, although we are making the same efforts with them the Deputies in the Dáil could not. They seek to define "just transition". I am somewhat surprised the Gre…

Okay, anyone may speak. We can go ahead. I will finish up in a few minutes because I understand others will want to come in.

I appreciate that. I am somewhat disappointed. I will certainly be calling "Vótáil" in respect of my own amendments. We will have that opportunity in a few moments.

He has great experience.

You have been losing members.

I have heard what the Minister has had to say. I will withdraw the amendment with the right to re-enter it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 14: In page 7, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “ ‘just transition’ means a transition that ensures the economic, environmental and social consequences of the ecological transformation of economies and societies are managed in ways that maximise opportunities of decent work for all, reduce inequalities, promote social justice, and support industries, workers and communities, all of whom shall be brought together in social dialogue to drive forward the national long term climate a…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank the Green Party Senators for this Bill. This is nothing new. Let us not get too excited. There are five Stages to a Bill so we have a long way to go before this becomes legislation. We ought to be realistic. I will support the Bill but there are a number of questions we need to ask about it. First, I am led to believe we do not need a Bill at all. I presume the Minister of State has had advice and briefing in advance of coming to the House. I am advised that no…

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the House. With regard to today's newspapers, I thank the Minister for his announcement and approval of the €1.46 million for the Royal Canal greenway, which relates to the mid-Shannon wilderness eco-park project. It is a fantastic project being promoted by Longford County Council and is covered in all of the media today. It highlights and ties in with our conversation in terms of greenways, blueways and extra employment opportunities which have been promised as a resul…

I commend Senator Buttimer and support everything he has called for. I also acknowledge An Post. I do not know if anyone saw them as they were coming in this morning, but some of its letterboxes have been decorated in the rainbow. It is imaginative and it is great when big organisations embrace Gay Pride, diversity and respect for everyone. That has to come from the centre of corporations and the political houses because that is where leadership is important. I raise the issue of An Bord Pleanála. There was much co…

I second the amendment.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 8, between lines 33 and 34, 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 arra…

I welcome the Minister to the House. I know this is only one strand of his very important work on affordable housing in all its shapes and forms and I look forward to the Bill completing all Stages in both Houses. As the Minister has said, having affordable housing on offer this year is a strong strapline. Amendment No. 3 was first tabled and withdrawn by the Minister's colleague, Senator Fitzpatrick, on Committee Stage. I have made only one change to it in the amendment I have tabled. None of this is my genius, it…

I have a lot of respect for the Minister but I cannot accept what he said. On Committee Stage, Senator Fitzpatrick said that she withdrew her amendment "on the basis that the Minister of State will incorporate it in the next Stages". This is Seanad Éireann. We do not deal with that much legislation and, as the Minister knows, this business is being guillotined today. This is the last chance for Senators to contribute on the Bill. I am going to put this amendment to a vote. There is nothing in this amendment that ta…

I am not getting into a fight across the Chamber.

I second the amendment.

I agree with both speakers but what Senator Higgins has raised is important. To be fair, this happens anyway with proper planning and sustainable development. Our planners are exceptional across the entire planning sector in all of our 31 local authorities. They are keenly aware of these issues, as are the elected members. Do not underestimate our local authority members. They are on the ball, on the money and on the case. They live in these communities and they are the greatest advocates of them, as are other comm…

We really need to define open market dwelling. I share Senator Cummins's sentiments about housing but we must also have value for money and we cannot keep talking about targets. On the news last night, a reference was made to Rebuilding Ireland, a term we do not hear very much in this House. One of the parties has been in government for ten years. At one point, Rebuilding Ireland was in the news every evening and we were talking about targets but suddenly nobody is talking about Rebuilding Ireland. Rebuilding Irela…

I second it.