Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Lawlor made a very important contribution regarding the issuing of licences by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. I do not have the answer, but a Commencement matter might be useful in getting a quick response.

Senator Gallagher raised the national broadband plan. He failed to recognise that his party in government sold off Eircom and delayed the national strategy by a generation. The Taoiseach has asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Richard Bruton, to prepare a report on costing and the signalling around due diligence on the part of officials. The Minister and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, will come back to the Cabinet and the Houses of the Oireachtas regarding the matter. Senator Gallagher also failed to recognise that his party colleague, Deputy Dooley, made reference to the ESB. We all recognise that the Government cannot just ask the ESB to manage broadband under the national broadband plan. That is a harebrained idea that should be knocked on the head.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of planning. It is important that due regard is given to a master plan in the drawing up of county development plans and city development plans. The points the Senator made are very relevant. I will have the Minister come to the House.

Senators Warfield, Murnane O'Connor and Devine referred to yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment of a new digital safety commission Bill that will come before the House. We will have that debate in due course. We all recognise that in an evolving and changing world there is a need for a greater emphasis on accountability and transparency. I cannot say why the Department is pursuing its own Bill as opposed to working with Deputy Ó Laoghaire, Deputy Lawless or others on their Bills. The Government and Department are coming together to bring their own Bill forward. However, when we see Bills that are workable it is important to embrace them.

The point made by Senator Devine around notifiable diseases is an important one, about which we must be very vigilant. We should also promote vaccination. I would be happy for the Minister for Health to come to the House to address the matter.