I thank the Minister for her reply. I know she has made huge efforts to try to improve the school transport system where voids occur. Given the information the Minister has given to the House, might it be possible, in the circumstances likely to emerge in the not-too-distant future, to introduce a little bit of flexibility into the system in order to ensure the various dots are joined up? This would prevent situations like we have just had where children were asked to get off a bus and walk the rest of the way home…

We have an unusual situation. There are two Deputies with two questions each. One Deputy was not in the House at the time the first question came up. I propose to take them all, if possible. Deputy Canney was here on time for his questions. Is it agreed that we take his questions now? Agreed. We will then follow up with the ones that were not asked at the time.

It is about temporary accommodation.

Question No. 32 is in the name of the same Deputy. There might be a difficulty with the answer but we did not anticipate being so far advanced at this stage. The Minister is so efficient she is ahead of herself.

That concludes Question Time.

We have no time left, I am sorry to say, but we have covered the widest spectrum of questions during the course of the debate.

The importance of this question goes without saying. In particular, we must consider the rapidity with which artificial intelligence is likely to affect the workforce in production activities all over the globe. Competitors around the world are availing and will avail very quickly of the opportunities on offer. At this stage, what is most important is to have a strategy that kicks in quickly in order to be able to maximise the opportunities, isolate the threats and try to ensure we increase production in every way …

This question is on the same theme of competitiveness, the health of the trade and industry sectors and the degree to which they can remain competitive in an increasingly competitive and challenging marketplace.

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. In passing, I congratulate him and his colleagues on their elevation or their retention of their very important positions. The points the Minister has raised in regard to the contributory factors that might challenge the competitiveness of trade and industry are the issues I would like to concentrate on. All sectors of industry know the issues that impact on them most and that are not of benefit to them. The extent to which we can at this stage identify the cause or…

With regard to the climate issues that the Minister raised, it is important that we retain our competitiveness in that area and do not become a world leader and, as a result, have to pay higher costs than many of our competitors. This is a very competitive market. We must try to maintain capacity. Any diminution at all will very quickly accelerate, with obvious consequences for employers and employees. I would like to know the extent to which the threats that are most obvious to competitiveness in the home market a…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donnell. This is the first time that the line Minister of State has come to the House to address this question. This is probably the 20th or 22nd time it has been raised in the House, so I thank the Minister of State for recognising its importance. The issue relating to Castletown House in Celbridge dates back to September of last year. The latter is a protected structure of local, historical, architectural and amenity interest to the people in the area and throughout the c…

Unfortunately, time is running out fast. I have here an email from a local resident who is a strong supporter of the need to ensure that access to Castletown House continues uninterrupted and unimpeded. She refers to a petition in 2024 of 5,000 signatures and support for the petition to keep Lime Avenue pedestrian and to ensure that it is not shared with any traffic because it is too dangerous. It will not facilitate a reorganisation of the avenue to allow the two, but access to the grounds and the adjoining ground…

Including the opening of the gates, as per September last. The gates will open for pedestrians and Lime Avenue will open for pedestrians.

A two-way conversation has rapidly developed.

In recent times, we have all become accustomed to dealing with higher volumes of queries about antisocial behaviour. They take on a very serious element in the present time when we are now dealing with people who are being forced out of their homes under threats of violence and sexual activity and abuse. People have had to sell their homes and, after their savings have been decimated, go back on the housing list or appeal to get on the housing list. This has come at a time when much has been said about vetting and …

I am afraid the words of the previous speaker are a simplistic resolution to a serious and extensive housing problem that has bedevilled Members of this House for many years. Unfortunately, it was not possible to do the things that needed to be done at the time. First of all, we did not have money. It is important when one is trying to solve a housing problem to have money and to be able to borrow it at a rate that is possible to withstand and to pay back. There were various other issues. First, we had the financia…

No, please-----

That question is over. We are moving on.

Could there be built into the system an alert that would enable the Minister of State to identify sneaking or creeping increases that might not readily come to public attention?

These questions seek to ascertain the extent to which the Minister has confidence in the robustness of the performance of this jurisdiction's economy when compared to other eurozone countries and non-eurozone countries.