Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Leader of the House probably will know what I will raise under the Order of Business, and that is the fact that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, wants to introduce the planning and development and foreshore Bill in the Seanad next week. The general scheme is still undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas housing committee, which is only due to complete it next week. I do not think we have ever come across a case such as this before, where we have a Minister who is seeking to gazump a committee undertaking pre-legislative scrutiny. What is more shocking is that contrary to what he stated in his letter to the Leader this week, he has not engaged or consulted with the Oireachtas housing committee on this move. His letter is deliberately misleading. It is an appalling way to treat the House, the Leader and the Oireachtas committee.

This Bill is controversial. It is being criticised by a range of stakeholders. It goes to the core of planning and environmental protection. I acknowledge that the Leader tried to work with the Minister on this. I think originally the proposal was to do it all in one sitting and I know now the Bill will be taken over two days next week, rather than a single sitting as requested by the Minister. However, that is enough. This Bill is so significant and due to the fact that pre-legislative scrutiny has not been completed, it would require weeks for both of the Houses to give this Bill the due process that is required. I appreciate the Leader’s efforts to schedule it over the two days but it is not good enough.

We will, as a group, oppose the Order of Business next Tuesday. We call on any Member who believes in environmental protection and the planning process to stand with us and send a clear message to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, that he needs to respect the committees, the way the committees conduct their business, this House and the Leader’s position. At the moment, that is not what he is doing.