Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it is an immediate issue that affects people. I doubt we will have the opportunity to have that debate before Christmas, but I will suggest it. At the leaders' meeting the other day, the agenda was intensely busy. I will not promise anything but I will suggest that we could have even a short debate on the issue before Christmas.

Senator Humphreys also raised climate action, which I have addressed, and I hope he is amenable to there being a much fuller and more lengthy debate in January. I agree with his comments on height strategy. I feel strongly about the fact that we have sprawled as a city and we should look to build in the city centre proper accommodation in which it is feasible to live in the long term. It should not be a matter of just throwing up many two-bedroom apartments to accommodate people. Families should be among those living in the city centre, and height strategy is intrinsically linked to that aim. A debate on planning in the context of a few different issues that were raised would be useful for the House in the new year. Senator Maria Byrne raised a related issue would be covered by such a debate.

Senator Leyden raised the Oireachtas channel. I agree it is a pity that "Oireachtas Report" is no longer broadcast although one needs to be some sort of an insomniac to be interested in politics in this country, because one must stay up until 11 p.m. or 11.30 p.m. for some programmes and that is too late.