Iarraim ar an Teachta nuathofa, an Teachta Ennis, labhairt den chéad uair. I welcome Deputy Ennis for his maidan speech. Tá cúig nóiméad aige.

In the move to increasingly digitalised services, it is hugely important that people are not left behind, including anybody who is not able to partake of such services. Digital by default cannot mean digital only. There are large numbers of people in different areas who are finding things more and more difficult. Will the Minister of State outline the efforts the Government is making to ensure that everybody is included?

It is interesting that the Minister of State put a lot of focus on the NBI roll-out across the country. The NBI starts in one place and finishes in another. Guess where the last places are that are getting it? They are located in the area west of Macroom. Our three switches remain to be activated, along with some of the other communities across the country that have yet to get be given access to broadband by NBI. It would be helpful if we could put in an extra push to encourage NBI to finish it out. It is currently…

Will the Minister of State outline the level of co-ordination with the larger stakeholders such as banks, financial services companies and the Department of Social Protection? Unfortunately, across my community, we have had bank branch closures in Dunmanway, Millstreet and Kanturk. In addition, the public counter in the PTSB branch in Macroom has been withdrawn. Just recently, the ATM in Newmarket was removed. This puts extra pressure on people. It pushes some individuals who are not entirely comfortable operating …

Since the beginning of the year, there have been significant spending shocks, including the likes of the Department of education and the war in West Asia, driving fuel prices and the need for a support package as a result for so many users. Will the Minister advise if overall expenditure is still on profile?

A significant support package had to be put in place for fuel and transport earlier this year arising from that conflict in West Asia. I am conscious that the date for the agri scheme has been extended from Wednesday through to next Tuesday to ensure that the maximum number of farmers and contractors can get their applications in. I understand that a Supplementary Estimate on that is due in the weeks ahead. I am conscious that no matter how quickly that conflict in the Gulf were to be resolved - and it needs to be …

Yes, it is right to focus on where the greatest need is. So many farmers and contractors were under phenomenal pressure. They are getting their applications in at the moment. It is a very busy time of year for them. We are also all watching that date in the summer when the schemes and the supports would be expected to finish out. The Minister is right that the Department will have to review the position at that point. The key question, then, is whether the Department has the fiscal space or the funding available or…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Ruth Coppinger - To discuss the loss of a mainstream teacher in a DEIS plus primary school in Dublin 17. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss supports for children and students with dyslexia. Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss the need to provide funding to local authorities for the refurbishment costs of tenant in situ scheme houses. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - …

Thank you. Tá an t-am caite.

I thank the Minister. We need to move on to the next Topical Issue in ainm an Teachta O’Gorman.

Leanfaimid ar aghaidh. Iarraim ar an Aire Stáit leasú an Rialtais a mholadh. I now invite the Minister of State to move the Government amendment to the motion.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss funding for family resource centre buildings. Deputies Sorca Clarke, Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Máire Devine - To discuss the proposal to close a ten-bed child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, unit in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fairview, Dublin. Deputy Michael Collins - To discuss the proposed autism centre in west C…

Since this relates to an individual, I am conscious that we should be mindful of their privacy and their family.

Tá leasú le cur chun cinn. I call on the Minister of State to move the Government's amendment. Tá deich nóiméad aici.

Farmers and horticulturists are being hammered by the price of fertiliser and supply uncertainty yet again. The conflict in west Asia has driven up fuel and fertiliser prices and disrupted key shipping routes. Fertiliser bills have shot up and vital deliveries are in doubt for so many. Farmers feel little has been done since the last fertiliser crisis and are getting more and more frustrated. They are very reasonably asking what long-term measures the Minister is delivering to shield farmers from supply shocks like…

It is hugely important to look beyond the immediate crisis and to set out a strategy for a more resilient supply. As the Minister said, the European Commission is about to launch its fertiliser security plan aiming at cutting dependency, boosting production and promoting alternatives. That is good and vital, but those solutions are going to take time to implement and farmers are under pressure in the short term. That will especially be the case next year. We are hearing that Russia, India and China, the main suppli…

Has the Minister looked at the possibility of moving towards green sources of energy? We do not have a supply of fertiliser manufactured here at home because we do not have the gas, but we do have wind. Has the Minister looked at the possibility of using that type of energy in the context of developing green ammonia plants here? Second, there is a great opportunity in relation to recovered nitrogen from manure, RENURE, fertilisers, which have recently been approved. Europe should be looking at the possibility of be…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss the need for a statutory community engagement standard. Deputy Emer Currie - To discuss the need for regulation of loot boxes and chance-based microtransactions in video games in view of their similarities to gambling and the potential risks posed to minors. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the rising costs of living across ho…

Dhá nóiméad.

Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta.