Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join in the expressions of concern about what seems a relentless attack on the democratic aspects of our planning infrastructure. I always tell people that policy-making and politics are about the decisions we make about how we want to live together. An important aspect of the decisions about how we want to live together is that people have a say in their local development plans and in planning. It is vital that we protect it. The concerns around the terrible proposals being flown at the moment should not distract from the very bad things that are in the planning Bill we will discuss tomorrow, which will further erode confidence in An Bord Pleanála and will further lead to people rightly seeking justice in the courts if they are not confident of a fully independent process in An Bord Pleanála.

It is worth looking in that context at the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity. One of its key recommendations is that environmental law and European law are properly applied. I am conscious that the UN Biodiversity Conference is taking place at the moment. It is vital that this conference achieves strong and ambitious outcomes, protects indigenous communities and makes sure we do not see a land grab from corporations for biodiverse land. I welcome the fact that we are seeing some progress on biodiversity in Ireland. Will the Leader facilitate a debate on the results of the Citizens’ Assembly on biodiversity and the UN Biodiversity Conference in the new year?

It would also be useful as an international issue if we could have a debate in the new year on the ongoing famine in the Horn of Africa. Indeed, we have heard migration mentioned today. There are migrants who are not reaching safety because they are dying in the Mediterranean Sea or being interned by immigration control deals. That is an issue we should look at. I commend former Senator Grace O’Sullivan who is hosting an event today for those humanitarian front-line persons who are trying to help those seeking safety and are being persecuted for doing so.

Can we have those three debates, on biodiversity, on global hunger and on migration, in the new year? I say this because, as I said at the ceremonial sitting on Monday, the Seanad has a strong tradition in looking to international justice issues.

I join other Senators in commending the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, on his imaginative, passionate, committed, thoughtful and ambitious period as Cathaoirleach. He has done a great deal in that time. However, I am conscious that not everybody gets to speak at events like the ceremonial sitting. Therefore, it would be useful to have general statements on Seanad 100 in the first week back next year. Given the schedule, there will not be time for such statements before the recess. People right across this House have a great deal to contribute to the discussion on the Seanad, its history and its future. Perhaps we could have an additional session when we come back in the new year to allow for a wide range of contributions from Senators. That would be a really positive debate.