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that would undermine this funding stream. I am not looking for an exemption. What this amendment proposes is a 50% reduction, in the full acknowledgment that in an area where an estate or a development has been built and is not yet taken in charge there

number of smaller centres. We have a number of section 5 exemptions that caused huge uncertainty, confusion and everything that goes with that in communities where there was essentially speculation on behalf of wealthy developers. Some of those developers made their fortunes on the back

retire at an age which is lower than the age at which they can access the State pension. The Bill contains limited exemptions, including retirement age set by law, and allows employer to objectively justify the application of the retirement age by reference to the individual employee … extend the late working hour exemption for young persons to unlicensed premises so that they fully align with those provided for in the regulations for licensed premises under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996. We will also see developments such as the implementation

European Committee on Social Rights also found that several positive developments had been progressed by Ireland in compliance with the charter since these particular complaints were taken, in particular the removal of the blanket exemption of members of the Defence Forces from the Organisation of Working Time

planning permissions and brought in measures to make developments viable again which Sinn Féin opposes at each and every opportunity. It is why even today the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, has signed an order to continue planning exemptions for the conversion of vacant commercial properties into

will seek to identify the areas in and around the Boyne catchment where detailed proposals and plans for renewal, preservation, conservation, restoration and development or redevelopment would be appropriate and include proposals relating to public access and public amenities including public transport and pedestrian access … State to seek and secure another exemption to the nitrates directive. I will return to that in my response to the Minister's comments on the Bill later. Some welcome steps are being taken. Teagasc, for example, has developed an action plan for better farming for water

There is a strong pipeline of future developments, with over 5,150 additional affordable purchase homes approved for support from the affordable housing fund across 22 local authority areas. From budget 2026, cost-rental homes will be exempt from corporation tax, making projects more viable and ensuring

particularly in building apartments. Delivering Homes, Building Communities details a suite of complementary measures to do just this. They will result in the development of thousands of new apartments. The measures include: the changes announced to rent pressure zones, RPZs, to attract private investment back into … planning design standards for apartments; a reduction in the VAT rate to 9% from 13.5%; an enhanced corporation tax deduction; and an exemption from corporation tax for cost-rental homes. The cumulative impact of these could result in a reduction of up to €160,000 in the cost

Billions are going into the Land Development Agency. That is how thin the Labour Party's proposals are. Genuinely, there is no real substance coming from the Opposition on housing in terms of adding to our stock. We did the exemption for back gardens, but those

needs to be done to develop this zone. Things can be done in the meantime but people's expectations need to be managed. There is a critical opportunity here. In 2021, Sinn Féin wrote to the European Commission seeking a total exemption from state aid rules

that were laid down by the Department. We need more land zoned for development. That is important. Then we had the national development plan, which provided funding. We then had Delivering Homes, Building Communities. Today, we have the accelerated infrastructure task force report and action plan … looking at planning exemptions. Modular homes came up. A body of work is under way at the moment to look at planning. The point is that this is a co-ordinated and comprehensive plan, including the national planning framework, the national development plan, the plan we have

that the organisation is managing a significant portfolio of properties throughout the Gaeltacht. An t-údarás has, over a number of years, developed a level of expertise in providing wastewater facilities serving its network of business parks and industrial estates across Gaeltacht areas. Údarás na Gaeltachta … Government's housing action plan will also support increased housing supply in Gaeltacht areas. The Private Members' motion also proposes a stamp duty exemption for consideration. As indicated previously by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, such a measure, if introduced, would be extremely difficult to administer

framework for microgeneration. Government policy went even further in encouraging those households. When in government the Green Party encouraged another initiative, the tax exemption for microgeneration of electricity, which is currently valued at €400 per year. Any change to the rules after people have made this investment would … send entirely the wrong signal. It would undermine people's confidence in microgeneration going forward. At a time when we need significantly greater development of rooftop solar, community energy generation and distributed renewable generation, the last thing we should be doing is causing uncertainty. Every unit

developed. That is the intent of the scheme. In his budget speech this year, the Minister stated he is now providing another opportunity for landowners in 2027 whereby if they seek to have their land rezoned to reflect the genuine economic activity being carried out, an exemption … avail of grants and get properties back to life or incentivising individuals to sell properties to realise some capital and allow others to develop them. In a recent meeting with the city manager and officials, one issue raised was the fact that Revenue, as it stands, will

developers of €390 million. On top of that, they get an enhanced deduction for certain costs in the construction of apartments. The latter will cost another €125 million. There is also a tax break for corporate landlords in the form of an exemption from corporation

class 3A exemption. It is a matter for the planning authority to investigate any concerns raised on a case-by-case basis and determine if enforcement proceedings are or are not required, as the case may be. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development

exempted from the application of the climate Act makes a mockery of our country's statements that we take climate action seriously. On the grouping, my amendment proposes that section 7(1) state: The designated strategic gas reserve, including any terminal, infrastructure, or facility developed under this

development, which will encourage the building of new rental apartments, help slow down rent increases and moderate rent levels over time". The rent levels for new build luxury apartments and luxury student accommodation are tied directly to the consumer price index, CPI, and are exempt from

matter of our collective security because Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. I will now turn attention to the international trade developments of the past few weeks. In an executive order signed on 10 February, President Trump announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium … executive order highlighted the increasing levels of US imports of steel as its rationale for the imposition of tariffs. It asserts that exemptions and modifications to the tariffs since they were introduced during the first Trump administration have undermined national security objectives by preventing sustained production capacity utilisation

developer-provided infrastructure element and the commitment Deputy Cahill has shown in raising constructed wetlands consistently in this House. There is a very good example of it in my constituency in Dunhill, County Waterford. In relation to the modular systems, we are going to provide planning exemptions

exempt smaller, modular and ancillary units such as granny flats or home offices up to 40 sq m, depending on the final regulation. Easing of these planning regulations to allow for larger, unattached structures to be built in people's back gardens and sites is a welcome development

operational and taking referrals. The defined clinics in Galway and at the National Maternity Hospital, while accepting referrals, are not yet fully developed to the same level as other hubs. Services are expanding as recruitment progresses for the outstanding posts. I am advised that most women referred … Ireland accepting referrals from GPs directly and from consultants. The system ensures early access for women with suspected or confirmed endometriosis, who are exempt from the standard referral criteria. This integrated model allows for streamlined cross-referrals between fertility and endometriosis services, thereby ensuring women receive timely

identify and assess measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, but the plan in that regard is still being developed. The necessary urgency is not there. Having spoken to people locally who are dealing with renewable energy, I am aware that there are amendments … need to be made across the board. Recently, I met two people in Ballyheigue who had just bought electric vehicles, EVs. They are exempt from petrol and diesel increases, obviously, but there needs to be a more targeted approach. One third of the money that is set aside

live over the shop, as it were, has been a big challenge because the regulatory burden is very significant in terms of making developments viable in that space. Our new housing plan will be launched in July. I hope we will see actions that involve working with … Browne, in that regard to ensure that happens. The Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, is very focused on that in terms of planning exemptions. There is a lot of work we can do. We are also working closely with the local authorities. We see very different stimulus plans

Working Time Act is now applied to members of the Defence Forces; concluded a public consultation on extending the late working hours exemption for young persons to unlicensed premises - feedback from the consultation will guide our understanding of current working conditions for young people in both licensed … workplaces; and advanced legislation to protect older workers with a contractual retirement age below the State pension age. We have also seen further developments across government, including the implementation of the EU pay transparency directive and the introduction of a pensions auto-enrolment system, which is also