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

I would like to speak to amendment No. 232. I thank the Minister of State for tabling this amendment to the Bill. As we are all aware, this Bill is nearly 730 pages long. It is the third largest piece of legislation in the history of the State and is the culmination of a 15-month review of the planning system. Anyone who spent hours and weeks on end in committee rooms during the months of February, March and April will know that more than 1,200 amendments have already been debated during those sessions, which often ran to 20 hours a week or more. This is democracy in action and it is really good to see this level of debate and scrutiny, because, after all, this is a once-in-generation opportunity to reform our planning system.

Amendment No. 232 from the Government is an example of how this discussion, debate and feedback on Committee Stage has shaped where we are today. In response to the issues on Committee Stage, references to biodiversity and climate change have now been strengthened. I commend all TDs on the housing committee for their part in this endeavour, but, in particular, our Cathaoirleach, Deputy Matthews, whose commitment to biodiversity and improving this Bill has been second to none. These amendments mean that our national planning framework and our national planning strategies will require integration with the national biodiversity action plan, as well as the laws around climate action and low-carbon development. It will also mean full integration with the national adaptation framework and long-term climate action strategies. This is essential as we - government, industry and society - work together to tackle the biodiversity crisis.

All of us in this House, of course, are mindful of the need to resolve the housing crisis too. Our goal is to increase housing supply to help people of all ages and backgrounds secure their first mortgages and offer certainty in a system where stability is key. We know that homes are being built up and down the country. Work starts every day on 350 new homes. In areas like mine, it is not just a statistic but is something we can see happening. In Lucan and Clondalkin, hoardings are up, boots are on the ground and cranes are on the skyline. Every week, 500 first-time buyers are drawing down mortgages for their first homes. Progress is happening. It is not happening quick enough but this Bill will help to progress things further. I am very glad that amendment No. 232 is there to strengthen this legislation from a biodiversity perspective.

I thank the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, for leading on this reformative legislation. I also thank his team of Kevin Dillon and Ciara Shaughnessy. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, for all the long nights he spent on this legislation in the committee rooms, as well as for always putting biodiversity at the heart of this Bill. We can see this with amendment No. 232. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, as well as the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, who brought this Bill towards its conclusion tonight. I would also like to formally recognise the incredible work and the extremely long hours put in by officials in the Department. There are too many to name, but particular thanks are due to Paul Hogan, Mary Johnson and Colin Ryan, who through this entire process have proved themselves not just expert professionals but incredible public servants. I thank everybody involved with this Bill and I am happy to support amendment No. 232.

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