The IMF was in government for ten years. The Deputy should not forget that.

The question relates to the extent to which the Minister recognises the future of the dairy sector and its major role in the economy.

That is a very welcome assessment of the future. To follow up, I ask the extent to which it will remain the Minister's endeavour to ensure emissions continue to be reduced in tandem with, but not damaging, the growth of the agrifood sector, with particular reference to the dairy sector, given that other countries seem to be able to do so to a huge extent.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Kathleen Funchion - to discuss an update on the DEIS status of Scoil Mhuire Lourdes girls' school in Tullow, County Carlow; (2) Deputy Barry Cowen - to discuss delays in the provision of work permits; (3) Deputy Niamh Smyth - to discuss a dedicated Huntington's disease clinic in Ireland; (4) Deputy Joe Flaherty - to discuss funding opportunities fo…

Before proceeding, I wish to bring a couple of points to the attention of Members. The Minister, representing the Government, and the proposer must have a right to reply at 6.07 p.m. We have four speakers already in attendance over and above the listed time allowed for speakers if everyone is to take their full time. I suggest that Members might consider sharing, in which case we will get everybody in. The Minister of State has the option of making his position clear now or at the end of the debate. We will try to …

Is that agreed? Agreed.

We have to recalibrate because we have nine speakers and limited time. I propose that each speaker would take three minutes. I call Deputy Farrell.

I thank the Deputy. He has been very co-operative. He should be in a watch factory as he has perfect timing. The Government has five minutes.

This question is about the extent to which the Minister remains focused on the need to supply the workforce with suitably qualified people as quickly and as often as needs arise.

I thank the Minister for his reply. Is it possible, or has consideration been given, to turn on an accelerated supply of suitably qualified people, particularly in the tourism, hotel and catering sectors, where premises cannot open fully, even though they want to, due to a lack of suitably qualified staff?

This question, which is in the name of Deputy Carroll MacNeill, seeks to ascertain the progress in respect of the auto-enrolment pension scheme.

Again, the emphasis must be on generating and retaining interest in the system. It is true that inadequate provision has been made in many cases. Is it possible to take into account the emergency need to ensure that those who have no provision become involved in their own interest at the earliest possible date to cover the age group to which the Minister has just referred?

We have inherited some backlogs over a long number of years and there has been a build-up in backlogs. I seek to ascertain the extent to which, for example, outstanding issues, appeals, oral hearings etc, can be implemented in order to address emerging issues as we emerge from Covid.

I am so aware and I congratulate the Minister on the work that has been done during the very challenging past two years. The Minister and her Department can rightly take a bow for the work that has been done. Obviously oral hearings could not take place due to regulations so a number of them are outstanding at the moment. How does the Minister propose to give the people concerned their chance for an oral hearing as soon as possible?

I thank the Minister. Huge improvements have taken place and huge volumes of responsibility have been taken on, and discharged, in an exemplary manner. I thank and congratulate the Minister and her officials on that work. I have long had an interest in oral hearings. It is important that we get them up to speed as quickly as possible and I know that the Minister is attending to that at the moment. The important feature of oral hearings is that they give constituents an opportunity of having their say face to face. …

The next five-minute slot is for People Before Profit, as láthair. The Regional Group and the Rural Independent Group are also as láthair. I call Deputy Pringle from the Independent Group, who has five minutes.

No, I am afraid the time slots are pre-arranged. Deputy Connolly might have done that if she was sitting here as Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Incorrect.

It is interesting that we are having this debate. It is good that the original, much-maligned measure to provide support to electricity users was mooted in good time. The Government now has an opportunity to tweak that measure to address issues as they emerge, because they are going to be much more severe than was anticipated some months ago. It must be remembered that the Government has not been idle. Some €48 billion had to be spent in supporting the community, the business sector, employers and employees in orde…

The Ceann Comhairle is just putting me out of my pain. I support the Bill. I hope it does the job it is intended to do. I also hope that we have sufficient resources to undertake whatever else might be required to address the issues in this regard and to invest as necessary.