Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have been briefed on the incident which took place in the north inner city this morning. I understand An Garda Síochána has made an arrest. I thank An Garda Síochána for its swift and effective response to this incident, but I am also sure that people who were in that area, particularly children who witnessed this, would be very distressed. Thankfully, nobody came to physical harm, which I know we all welcome, but I understand An Garda Síochána has maintained ongoing patrols in the area, including at both opening and closing times for educational facilities.

I call on any witnesses or people with dashcam footage to come forward to the Garda. There has been an arrest made. The city centre task force has been established and is due to report in July. David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, has been appointed to chair it and I am sure can engage with interested public representatives in the House.

I am happy to have a debate on ethics in public office. We will get an update from the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on any legislative proposals in regard to that. The Cabinet today agreed to several hundred amendments to the planning Bill that will come back to the House on, I think, 11 June. One relates to that issue of spurious objections or seeking money from developers to withdraw an objection, which is never acceptable.

On climate targets, the Business Committee can seek how best to do this. There are always lots of requests for lots of important debates. I am very happy to have a debate on this. The EPA figures today, as that agency will acknowledge, do not fully factor in or model in a number of initiatives, including our biomethane strategy approved by the Government today and other initiatives such as traffic plans around our city. There is a demanding agenda in relation to climate but I am happy to have a discussion because there are reasons to be positive. We are seeing retrofitting numbers soar. They are up 80% in one year. Our fuel use for heating fell considerably in 2023 as a result and we need to build on that positive momentum.

In relation to the Housing Commission, we would love to debate it with Deputy Boyd Barrett because he was almost giddy with excitement in here last week about it. I would love to know if he supports all the 83 recommendations. I do not think he does. I do not think he supports reference rents.

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