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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Planning Bill scheduling

Summary

The Leader confirmed the Planning and Development Bill would come to the Seanad next Tuesday, explained the timetable, and said no further amendments would be taken at that stage.

David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

I thank the Leader.

Comment on this

Senator Victor Boyhan referred to the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016. It is scheduled to complete all Stages in the Dáil on Friday. As agreed at the meeting of group leaders on Wednesday, it is the intention to take it in this House on Tuesday afternoon. We can sit as late as we want on Tuesday. It will certainly be-----

Comment on this

If that is the case, we should do it on Wednesday.

Comment on this

I ask the Senator to, please, allow me to finish. As Leader of the House, I have to take into consideration the needs of Members and their staff, Seanad staff and staff in the Minister's office, which is why we should try to get it done on Tuesday. There will be ample time to do so, given that the amendments will be presented to the Dáil this week. If passed, they will be contained in the Bill that will be brought to this House. There will be no changes, if Members know what I mean. There will, therefore, be no new information. I do not see a need to do anything other than what we have already agreed to, that is, to sit on Tuesday. I will be happy to discuss the matter with Senators.

Comment on this

More than 180 amendments have been tabled.

Comment on this

As Members know, all of the amendments will not be accepted or agreed to. All of the Government's amendments might not be accepted either. In the interests of fairness and not wishing to be obstructionist, we should wait until Thursday morning or afternoon. However, it is my intention, as agreed to at the meeting on Wednesday, to bring the Bill to the House to be debated next Tuesday. I will not rush it through, but I do not think there will be a need to sit other than on Tuesday.

Comment on this

There will be no further amendments allowed at that stage. Is that correct?

Comment on this