The Deputy's time has expired.

My understanding is that the time is being shared as follows, four minutes for Deputy Alan Farrell, four minutes for Deputy Matthews and three minutes for Deputy Dillon. Is that correct?

The next slot is being shared by Deputies Carthy and Ó Murchú.

I am sure he is in the environs.

I will have to say a word in defence of the older generation. I do not see myself on a scooter, bike or trike or anything like that in the near future, unless I have been overexposed to the sun or something, but I must announce myself as a motorbiker. It is an enjoyable mode of transport. I still have the bike and still indulge in using it. My colleague just spoke of sharing space on roads. There are more people competing for that space than ever before, with more vehicles and more types of vehicles. It is importan…

The Sinn Féin slot will not be taken. I call on the Minister to reply.

I acknowledge the announcement by EirGrid to the effect that it proposes to achieve its targets in respect of dependency on fossil fuel electricity generation by 2030. I welcome that and support it, but I wish to point out that it requires an urgently accelerated investment programme in infrastructure. Otherwise, the targets cannot possibly be achieved by 2030. I ask the Taoiseach to use his considerable influence in that area, along with that of the Minister, to ensure those targets are achieved in the shortest po…

This question seeks to raise the importance of the options that are most likely and readily available to deal with the pressing issue of climate change and the urgent necessity to respond.

Mine too.

This may seem peculiar at this particular time. There will be and is a necessity to ensure that all regions throughout the country have access to a reasonable road structure, with particular reference to those areas that have not experienced particular development but which will in the future.

I thank the Minister of State for the reply. Might it be possible to identify a national minimum standard for quality of roads to facilitate those parts of the country that will require access to markets for heavy transport vehicles and access to investment in their respective areas, having particular regard to the fact that in a line from Belfast to Cork, and to an extent to Limerick and Galway, there is no access to that level of quality? From the point of view of investment in jobs and employment, there is a nec…

Would it be possible to make contact with the respective local authorities with a view to identifying the precise requirements in that area? I am thinking in particular of the increased employment prospects, which we are trying to encourage outside the immediate Dublin area to alleviate traffic congestion and to encourage industrial investment and employment throughout the country on a more even-handed basis. Would it be possible to contact the relevant local authorities directly with a view to achieving that kind …

On this day, which has particular significance as far as climate change is concerned, I raise the extent to which members of the Government, individually and collectively, might respond to the challenges ahead with a view to taking the maximum possible mitigation measures to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, both in the transport and home-heating sectors, and other mitigation measures that can be introduced and implemented without impacting on the economy.

I was thinking about the number of times we have spoken on this subject in my time in this House, particularly in the last ten years or so. It looks as if we will continue to speak about it for some time. I give credit to the Government - as I would of course, and as one would expect of me – for the efforts being made to tackle this subject, and to make the money available to deal with the problem. This is notwithstanding the fact that the problem is getting away from us at the same time. It is like chasing a runaw…

I know. That is reassuring but it does not solve the problem, unfortunately. I will revert to a couple of things that need to be looked at. First, it is proposed to revise the income thresholds and ceilings for qualification for what I call a local authority house. It is long past the time for that. For example, in my constituency of Kildare North, €37,500 is the upper limit for a couple with one child, currently living in rental accommodation costing €1,200 or €1,400 per month. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows as w…

It is not.

Venezuela.

Venezuela.

It is very difficult to address a finance Bill in any meaningful way in three and a half minutes but I will do my best. I was entertained by my colleague across the Chamber from Dún Laoghaire. He is a very nice fellow, I have to say, and I am very fond of him.

He comes up with some pearls of wisdom from time to time, but then he goes off on a tangent again and I get worried about him. It could be something in the water in Dún Laoghaire. I will have to go and check to see what it is.