Last evening, the Dáil approved a key, new law, making headway towards the next general elections. Depending on who one asks, it is either the most crucial modification of Ireland’s planning system in years or the most abysmal planning law in the State’s history. Even the Incredible Hulk reportedly bristled at it. Nevertheless, this law, known as the Planning and Development Bill, is instrumental in addressing the ongoing housing crisis.
Notwithstanding the ire it caused in the Hulk, this enormous legislation – encompassing more than 730 pages – is an integral part of the government’s strategy to expedite housing supply. It revamps the country’s beleaguered planning system, a point the running parties will likely emphasise to voters.
Aside from this, Coalition Ministers also have their sights set on passing other bills before Taoiseach Simon Harris fires the starting gun. Among these is the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill, required to enforce the promising options from the Budget 2025. Any attempts to hasten these bills’ passage might be read as a signal for an impending election.
This critical debate in the Dáil culminating in the Planning and Development Bill’s passing was reported on by our parliamentary correspondent, Marie O’Halloran. Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien touted the bill as a desperately needed, most groundbreaking reform in planning laws since 2000, enhancing transparency within the planning system. He vehemently rejected opposition allegations of the Bill being hastily implemented, emphasising more than 115 hours of committee debate.
Contrarily, Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin deemed the bill as, without question, the most destructive and controversial law he’d seen during his Oireachtas tenure, labelling it the worst planning legislation in State history.
Controversial amendments related to proposals for offshore Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) storage have caused a stir, eliciting a reaction from Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo. The actor took to social media platforms, directly criticising the Green Party for allegedly harming the environment and claiming that the proposed Bill would hasten the establishment of LNG terminals as well as encourage fracking. In response, the Green Party denied these claims and pointed out that they are concerned with maintaining Ireland’s power supply.
Jack Horgan-Jones has further details on the issue, which has drawn the actor’s attention, and the subsequent implications on Ireland’s energy security.
In other news, current reports demonstrate that the Irish government has transferred €7.6 million to Deloitte Management Consultants to support efforts in managing the influx of refugees from Ukraine following the 2022 Russian onslaught. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was responsible for the fees paid to the consulting firm.
Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman stated to Keith Duggan and Martin Wall that the collaboration with Deloitte was initially devised to facilitate the delivery of his department’s humanitarian response in the context of the Ukrainian crisis in a swift and vast manner.
Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats publicly enquired about this matter, implying that Deloitte’s role had shifted from aiding to steering the humanitarian response to the Ukrainian conflict.
Additionally, Taoiseach Simon Harris seems to be backpedaling from prospective policies propounded by officials that could result in Ukrainians not receiving lodging after landing in Ireland.
“He expressed his view that no proposals concerning changes for people from Ukraine coming to Ireland have reached the Cabinet. In his opinion, there has been a host of adjustments and restrictions have possibly reached an extreme. He voiced scepticism if there really exists a convincing argument for further alterations.
In a shocking exposé by Olivia Kelly, it has been revealed that a certain organiser of an Irish event misused the identities of renowned personalities. This includes Richard Branson, Denis O’Brien and even Barack Obama’s sister, Auma, to advertise a conference on female genital mutilation in Dublin. These celebrities were not involved in any capacity and lacked any knowledge of this forgery. The event that was promised to feature billionaires just resulted in a modest hotel gathering with muffins as refreshments.
A noteworthy resignation came ahead of constituency convention, from Sinn Féin TD Patricia Ryan, a Deputy from Kildare South. Jennifer Bray has reported on this development.
As part of an amusing news piece, Miriam Lord observed the reaction of the Upper House to rumours of a possible Russian spy in the Leinster House. Her story was headlined “Spy hunt has Senators laughing their heads off on Day of the Cackle.”
Our correspondent from Washington, Keith Duggan, covers the encounter between Simon Harris and US president Joe Biden. He highlights how amidst the turmoil of an impending “storm of the century” in Florida, Harris took the opportunity to emphasise Ireland’s stance on the urgent cessation of aggression in Gaza.
In the Parliamentarian’s schedule, Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin will be responding to questions in the Dáil from 9am, followed by the Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys at 10.30am. A segment for Leaders’ Questions will be held at noon.
By 1.45pm, The government will be seeking approval from the Dáil for the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan, targeting offshore renewable energy. Statements dedicated to Mental Health Week are scheduled at around 3.37pm, and an opportunity for TDs to discuss important issues at 6.04pm.
There will be a bill presented in the Upper House at 11.45am, proposing the inclusion of all state university graduates voting eligibility in Seanad Elections.”
The Land Development Agency (LDA) is on the agenda of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee starting from 9.30am. The story includes details regarding the LDA’s cost rental homes that allow tenants to save approximately €1,000 per month compared to the current market rates that are projected to be discussed at the PAC. Furthermore, the agency is equipped with 37 sites to potentially build nearly 17,000 homes. More details are available in our story.
Stephen Donnelly, the Health Minister, is set to return to the Health Committee. At 1.30pm, he will be addressing concerns related to University Hospital Limerick. Later in the afternoon, at 3.45pm, he will respond to inquiries about the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024. The goal of this bill is to ban the sale of tobacco goods to individuals who are under 21 years old.
Complete schedules for Dáil, Seanad, and Committee are accessible through the provided link.