I appreciate the Minister of State's response. Looking over it and listening to what was contained in it, I would respectfully say that the dynamic deployment mechanism, as well thought out and well considered as it may have been, does not appear to be having the desired impact or results one would have expected initially. It is as a result of that and the frustrations and the morale within the service that genuine medics are reconsidering their future role. I note too that part of the overall package in addressing…

-----such that engagement is seen to result in improvement.

The appointment by the Cabinet and the subsequent withdrawal of Katherine Zappone as an envoy has been an unseemly controversy. The fact that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Cabinet approved the appointment, some of whom, yes, were blindsided but, apparently, oblivious to the political implications, is, to say the very least of it, strange. The envoy appointment fiasco represented a failure of leadership and collective responsibility at the heart of the coalition. What has made the whole business such a sorry t…

I welcome this Bill to give effect to an affordable housing scheme and which contains issues around cost rental and Part V. The scheme is long overdue. It is unfortunate that the previous Government did not provide one but thankfully the programme for Government compelled the Minister to bring forward a Bill such as this and thankfully he is doing so. The legislation will apply to future planning but it will not be or cannot be retrospective and, therefore, it cannot apply to all of those thousands of units held up…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Planning and Development Act 2000 to ensure that every appeal or referral is determined within a period of 12 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Board of the appeal or referral, or, such other period as the Minister may prescribe in accordance with section 126(4) and section 221(4), either generally or in respect of a particular class or classes of appeals or referrals. I welcome the opportunity to introduce this Bill to the D…

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Government's climate change action Bill. It is an important element of the programme for Government, as well as having been a crucial element of the Government formation talks. The Bill sets out how the whole of government can, must and will confront climate change, reduce emissions, as well as providing and ensuring real actions and commitments to match Ireland's obligations under the Paris accord. The Bill provides a focused procedure and set of process…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, the purpose of which is to place the Land Development Agency on a statutory footing and to confer on it various powers. Housing was the dominant issue in the general election, and it was the dominant issue in the lifetime of the previous Government. It remains a dominant issue in society. Of course, it has been challenged by issues resulting from the pandemic and the impact that has had on different sectors, but there is a great onus of responsibility on this Governme…

It can be nine and two one minutes. No, four and-----

It is not very often I get an opportunity to speak on this issue. I want to use the brief time available to me, on behalf of myself and my constituents, to convey again my great thanks and appreciation and to commend key workers across the country for their ongoing dedication and commitment to their roles, which has allowed us to be in a position to respond effectively and to deal with the recent onslaught. I am especially mindful of the healthcare workers in care settings, in homes and in our hospitals and of the …

If he can, or if not in writing thereafter.

Yes, but the Acting Chairman has interrupted me for a minute there.

There is a commitment on the other cohorts, one of which was mentioned by the Minister today, which thankfully we will see next week. All I ask is for consideration to be given, considering that huge and profound commitments have been made, to a means and mechanism by which indications can be given on start dates for the 15 different cohorts. All that I and my constituents want, when they contact me or anyone else in government or any Member, is for us to be able to say to them their cohort is due to commence vacci…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to bring this matter to the attention of the Dáil and the Government. Wilker Auto Conversions, based in Clara, County Offaly, last night informed 80 members of a workforce of approximately 100 of its intention to temporarily close its facility owing to components from the UK that it needs to complete work on its line being delayed at customs and ports. The company produces excellent products, which are primarily used in the ambulance sector. It services the HSE, among oth…

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I particularly welcome his final sentence indicating that the Department is in direct contact with the company in question. I am reminded of a communication I received from the Taoiseach early in January, having raised issues around this matter when other companies highlighted to me the difficulties they had with the new regime, notwithstanding the efforts and the commitments they made on foot of Government advice in advance of Brexit. The Taoiseach indicated at that tim…

The question speaks for itself. I would like the Minister to respond to the question about the roll-out of broadband in my constituency and other rural constituencies like it. It is incumbent on me and other public representatives in my constituency to work tirelessly in an effort to ensure that the transition away from peat power generation meets with the approval of those we represent. We want to ensure that every effort has been made by the Government on its contracted roll-out of broadband and that it is meetin…

I thank the Minister for her response and the details contained therein and acknowledge the progress made to date, the commitment for quarter 1 and, in the case of my own constituency, to the five outstanding BCPs due for connection in quarter 1, mainly in south Offaly. I welcome that. I note what has been said on blended working and the connectivity required in relation to hubs. I note that the Minister mentioned black spots in my constituency or any other that may need verification and contact with broadband offi…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak to this matter. I was born in 1967 and as a child of the Troubles, although indirectly, I am very much aware of their impact on our country. I remember various and major atrocities as they occurred during my lifetime, whether they were at Dublin, Monaghan, Warrenpoint, Birmingham, Enniskillen or Omagh. These atrocities had an impact on our people and their psyche and they led many people to take up arms as well. There was destruction, mayhem and killing of in…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Deputy Smith made reference to a report that he sought acknowledgement of, as well as a commitment on the part of the Government to further explore and to raise with the British Government in the context of our aspiration for the truth to emanate from such hard work on the part of many, not least the O'Reilly and Stanley families. The McConvilles, the Stacks in Laois, the Finucanes as well as the Stanleys and O'Reillys deserve some form of resolution. They deserve a p…

I note from the report of last week's meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine that all bar one supported and approved the funding, having raised various queries and sought some assurances conducive to accountability measures and assurances from the Minister relating to horse and greyhound racing. The one objection, of course, was around the greyhound element of the funding, which is the democratic right of the person involved. Like many others, these industries have been further supplemented th…