I compliment the Minister on his responses so far. Could a means be found to safeguard the interests of first-time buyers and young buyers by way of ring-fencing the assistance that might be available? For example, a person rang me this morning who was outbid by €100,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in the greater Dublin area. Could we somehow devise a means to ensure that the assistance available would go directly to those who are most deserving?

I want to ask the Minister, in the context of this vital proposed expenditure, whether the M4-N4 road west of Mullingar will be included. That road is heavily trafficked. It is a dangerous road. Many international carriers use the road regularly. This expenditure is absolutely necessary in order to spread development into that region and relieve the infrastructural congestion east of that area.

I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on this important legislation, which was very laborious in its birth, had a long gestation and on which we anxiously awaited the outcome. I agree with many of the points made by the previous speaker, but I want to warn about a couple of issues that cannot be remedied in a small country. No matter what board comes up for renewal, in what capacity it comes up or on what basis an interview board is set up in this country, it is a small country and there is no way we can be …

This is particularly sensitive and important legislation. It is long overdue to be updated. It needs to be carefully weighted, as has been done, to take into account the views and protection of the child, who may have hidden special needs. A serious problem has arisen in the past where decisions have been made by people who claimed to have the best interests of the child at heart, although it was not necessarily so. We have to wait to see what happens with the operation of the legislation to ensure that this is to …

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 4 May 2022.

The Select Committee on Justice has completed its consideration of the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021 and has made amendments thereto.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37A and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor - to discuss greater resources for the regional ambulance service in the south east; (2) Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan - to discuss the proposed new core funding model for ECCE-only early years facilities and Montessori schools; (3) Deputies Mark Ward and Gino Kenny - to discuss the imminent closure of the Clondalkin Equi…

Thank you, Deputy.

Deputy, no one interrupted you when you were speaking.

We will have one speaker.

Only one speaker at a time, please.

Resume your seat, Deputy. You may not speak twice.

Deputy, resume your seat.

We will have one speaker at a time. I call on the Minister of State to proceed.

A division has been called. In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), it is postponed until the weekly division time tomorrow evening.

We cannot start an exchange of views.

I did not intend to speak on this particular subject, but, like the Minister of State, having a fair amount of experience of the vicissitudes of the electorate and the electoral system, I think one should always avail of the opportunity to speak on it. First, the proposals always need to reflect through democracy. I note that Deputy Connolly referred to draconian measures. Nobody ever refers to what preceded the legislation and what it was like before the draconian measures that we often now talk about on a regular…

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this important legislation. The old saying is that it is an ill wind that does not blow some good. The pandemic caused us all to concentrate on the particular circumstances that applied in some situations. People were vulnerable in particular situations and were called upon to work for as long as possible in order to keep the show on the road and in order to ensure that they had sufficient funds to pay the rent or mortgage and at the same time, were able to contribute to…

I support the points raised by the previous speakers. I emphasise the necessity to utilise every possibility of improving the national grid with the greatest degree of urgency.

I wish to return to the electricity price increases. Does the Minister recognise that there are two issues here? The first is the immediate provision of electricity from our own resources, and the second is the long-term reduction of dependency throughout Europe on imports from Russia and similar places.