Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister back to the House and thank him for appearing before us so often.

I agree with the Bill. It is important legislation, which I suppose is the reason it is being rushed through both Houses. I agree with Senator Fitzpatrick that a simple majority is required. A two thirds majority would be difficult. As other Senators have stated, considering a development plan over Zoom is not ideal and is difficult. I heard of a case where a person was on Zoom, went to answer a call at the door and missed the vote. A simple majority is the answer.

I wish to flag an issue in the short time I have, that is, the 51% reduction in emissions. We have no maritime strategy in this regard. The enactment of the planning and development Bill - I think it was the 2019 Bill - should be done quickly. We have an emissions target of 1% by 2030. We have plans for 5 GW on the east coast, but there are no plans for the west coast even though it is the best asset in Europe. Has An Bord Pleanála the manpower to deal with all of the planning applications that might come before it in the not-too-distant future?

I welcome the Bill.