I thank the Minister. The local authority is also on hand to help.

I invite the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, to respond.

Before calling on the next Member to reply, I welcome to the House US Ambassador Cronin and Congressman Bill Keating, with the delegation from the US Congress. They are more than welcome to a somewhat depleted membership of the House at this stage of the evening. We welcome them warmly and hope they have a very satisfactory and fulfilling visit.

I was asked by Deputy Dillon, who is in a meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts, to ask this question on his behalf. It is similar to other questions other Members of the House have asked. It relates to the manner and means by which the Department is expected to respond in a meaningful way to the retail sector and the general small and medium-sized business sector in the face of dramatic oil price increases.

I thank the Tánaiste for that very informative and supportive reply. To what extent might a short-term and longer-term response be forthcoming if it is found necessary, given that many of the contributory factors to the dramatic oil price increases are likely to continue for a considerable time? In those circumstances what might now be the best approach to make provision for the long battle that lies ahead?

I thank the Tánaiste for his substantial reply. In the event of there being a long battle, for want of a better word, against fuel price increases, has there been any investigation into the possibility of replacement by renewables? Can that be speeded up to give confidence to those in the sector in order that they can plan ahead knowing what is likely to happen in the future and knowing the necessity of competing in the marketplace among their peers and those who might be hostile?

I raise the question as to whether it might be possible to ensure that the rule of law is fully extended to the operation of the family law courts. At present they are held in secret. A flawed theory is used to remove children from their natural mother and place them in the hands of the respondent. This is a general point, with very serious consequences.

The question is whether the rule of law can be applied fully to the operation of the courts, whereby this flawed theory, which is called parental alienation, is removed from the equation and the rule of law is applicable in all cases.

Only one voice.

We can only have one voice.

I am sorry. The rules state-----

Look.

No, the Minister to reply uninterrupted.

Seanad Éireann has passed the Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022, without amendment. Seanad Éireann has passed the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Bill 2022, without amendment.

The Minister of State has a further five minutes. Before I call on Deputy Mythen to reply, she can continue for another couple of minutes if she wishes and is entitled to do so as it is provided for.

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time in two weeks.

I welcome the Taoiseach's reply. I encourage a focus on the shared island initiative in the North and South, with particular reference to the economic benefits accruing and recognising the value of closer co-operation, building on what the Taoiseach has just referred to. There are considerable benefits associated with the sharing of the island. We should get away from the silo syndrome indicated in the results of a survey last year which showed that 62% of people in the South are negative about a united Ireland, sh…

We now move to the Rural Independent Group. Deputies Mattie McGrath, Danny Healy-Rae, Richard O'Donoghue and Michael Collins are sharing ten minutes. They had two minutes each but now they have two and a quarter minutes each because Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is not present. They have gained some speaking time.

I call on Deputy Connolly on behalf of the Independent Group. Is she taking ten minutes?

No. I am sorry, but Deputy Collins cannot answer his own question.