To be clear, there will be no evictions until 10 January 2021 in order to allow for the circumstances in which people who are going through the impacts of Covid right now may find themselves. As the Minister of State mentioned, there are supports that will be available to tenants after that. From now until 10 January next, tenants who can make declarations in the context of the impact of Covid will be protected.

I welcome the just transition retrofitting initiative. A number of local authorities in the midlands and Galway are putting forward funds to retrofit houses in areas affected particularly by job losses in respect of Bord na Móna and ESB. I am looking forward to the 60 homes in Ballinasloe that are going to be retrofitted and how this will impact on the cost of heating. There is a lot of fuel poverty in that area. It will be great to see those costs reduced. I welcome the investment yesterday of €4.5 million into gr…

I congratulate the Minister. She has a very broad and interesting portfolio covering arts, tourism, media and culture. I will speak to what I know, which Ireland's Hidden Heartlands in the middle of Ireland. Is it not great that this opportunity has been brought about for us to rediscover what is on our doorstep? That is what many families are doing now when booking their holidays, particularly in August which is the month in which many people are taking a few days, a week or longer off. Regarding the hidden heartl…

I welcome the Minister.

I again welcome the Minister and commend both her and her team in the Department on developing a detailed roadmap in respect of how to manage the reopening of our schools in September. As for my background, I am an arts graduate in French and history, and I had the opportunity after completing my degree to teach French for a period in secondary schools. I have many friends who work as teachers and principals in the primary and secondary school sectors. Prior to my role in the House, I was also on the board of manag…

I thank the Minister of State for bringing this Bill before us which I welcome and support. It is important that the Government supports measures to improve businesses and the outcome for employees who have been losing jobs in recent times. I come from the Roscommon-Galway area which is lacking in investment. There are many towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000 and the region is losing jobs due to the current climate globally and in terms of Covid-19. I pay tribute to the Departments that are putt…

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for coming to the House. It is an historic day to create a new Department of further and higher education, research, innovation and science. As Fine Gael spokesperson for education and higher education, it is an honour to be here today to see that happening. My role in NUI Galway is working with excellent teams of engineers, such as the translation medical device team. Even most recently with Covid, it was working with healthcare professionals and the industry in Galwa…

It is great to hear that today is Nelson Mandela Day, which is a source of great pride. I also congratulate Senator Flynn for Traveller Pride Week. It is real honour to have her in the Chamber. Regarding the "Prime Time" programme last night on nursing homes, my query is on the families and the pain and distress showed at not being able to get close to their loved ones in nursing homes. We know from the show last night that there were healthcare workers who were working 12-hour shifts, six days a week. We know from…

It is very much a historic honour to be standing here in front of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. As an arts graduate in history and French from UCG, now NUIG, it is very awe-inspiring. Though it is a unique occasion, it is one that has brought a lot of joy. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, especially as his portfolio concerns employment affairs and retail businesses. It is very important to see retail businesses in there. I very much support this immediate request - and it is immediate, b…

I join with my colleagues in encouraging people to download the Covid tracking app. It is free. We should all be doing it. I also join in the praise for Dr. Tony Holohan. He has been a fantastic leader over recent months. I would like to talk about the shocking situation in Ballinasloe with regard to the potential job losses at the company Aptar. This could affect 100 jobs in the town of Ballinasloe. I am calling for a jobs task force to look at investment in towns with populations of fewer than 10,000. Some 100 fa…

Comhghairdeas a Chathaoirligh. It is very strange to hear the term "Senator Aisling Dolan". I am still not used to it. I congratulate Senator Regina Doherty on her role as Leader of the House. Everyone has paid tribute to the leadership we have seen in recent months with regard to Covid-19 from the Ministers who were in place. It was inspirational. As a new Senator in the Chamber for the first time it is an honour. Having gone through the elections I see very many familiar faces from knocking on doors. I thank them…