Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will raise an issue with regard to the planning and development Bill 2022. We know the outgoing Attorney General spent approximately 15 months on a very comprehensive review of this legislation. Many of us, because we were elected city and county councillors, know there are considerable issues around Part 8. However, there are also a number of other issues with public engagement outside of the council chamber with regard to planning. I understand from a colleague of mine in the media that there will be a briefing for the invited media to the Custom House this afternoon at 4.30 p.m. on this Bill. I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and was unaware of it. I have made contact with some of the members, who were unaware of it, but I have confirmed this briefing is happening. I have also been in touch with the Minister's office and his private secretary. There is no extension of an invitation. Fair enough, I am not a member of the media, but it is not the way we should be doing our business. I ask the Leader whether we could contact the Department to get a briefing document for all Members of the Seanad. This is important legislation, of which we would all be very conscious with regard to our support base throughout the country. We wish to work collectively with our councils but also with the citizens we represent. I ask simply for a detailed briefing note following the press briefing, this evening or tomorrow morning, with regard to the planning and development Bill 2022.