Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Department for the opening statement and for providing the information that was given in 2015. I found that really helpful. As one of the newer Deputies, I was not across this issue back then, and it was definitely very interesting to see what it is like in Australia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland and Canada. I definitely found that that was very good context to provide, so I thank the witnesses for that.

One of the goals that is advertised or listed in what this new legislation will bring about is that it will support better land management. I would love to learn a little more about that and how these changes and efficiencies will do that. I wonder whether or not that will be linked into the great work the Land Development Agency, LDA, will be doing from a strategic land management perspective and whether there are any synergies there. The witnesses have probably covered a lot of this already, but I ask them to give us a breakdown of the efficiencies the Department thinks will be realised through this legislation. It is great to hear that the staff levels will remain the same. What efficiencies will we see?

One of the other things I noticed is that the legislation will provide for the establishment of a board. One thing I would be really keen to know is whether or not gender balance would be taken into account when looking at that board. This is a topic on which I have brought forward a Bill to make sure we include both genders at the decision-making table. There are a lot of targets from Balance for Better Business on State and semi-State boards, but it would be great just to get confirmation and a little comfort that gender balance will be taken into account when the board is established.