I am glad to have the opportunity to participate in this debate. As my colleagues have pointed out, this is a very important sector for every part of the country. In every town and village there are people involved or associated with the tourism, catering or transport sectors, as well as the aviation sector, particularly in certain areas. We must first empathise with the sacrifices they made in the past 18 months because they were closed down repeatedly. That reduced confidence in the industry and it reduced the co…

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this legislation. Similar to my colleague, Deputy Costello, who just spoke, I believe we have a particular situation arising in the aftermath of the lockdown that is more serious than it was previously. There are a number of issues we need to take into account and a number of initiatives we need to take. This legislation is one of them. We have to learn how best to deal with this matter. Confrontation is not the way to do so, in the first instance. We have to establish a…

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this subject. In the first instance, I am one of those who would be reluctant to observe restrictions on persons travelling about their business and their enjoyment in the country. However, the call had to be made, and was made at the appropriate time. It was felt then that the restrictions were important in curtailing the degree to which the virus could spread. They served and will continue to serve their purpose. This is a matter of opinion and of argument. People will…

I am sharing time with Deputy Costello. I am told I had six minutes. I am not sure. Is that correct?

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this important issue. It is of growing importance. I have been concerned for the past number of days in listening to the debate on data centres and investment in this country and I want to comment on that. Like the Minister, I am committed to alternative energy, bioenergy and the non-fossil fuel-based generation of electricity but we have to make it happen. The Minister and I were both members of a committee in 2006 where these issues were examined exhaustively for at le…

It is that way again. I am sorry, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I would love a longer opportunity to discuss this subject at another time. It is an important issue for all of us.

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be glad to know I am concluding. I would love to have a proper debate wherein we could all voice our views and everyone could get involved to the satisfaction of all.

That could happen.

Perhaps the Minister could address the Deputies' comments and questions first and then he can wrap up.

If the Minister is satisfied that he has incorporated everything into the reply, that is in order. That concludes statements and questions and answers on Cork University Maternity Hospital.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 27A and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy John Paul Phelan – to discuss how some foster children in foster care in the Carlow-Kilkenny region do not have allocated social workers; (2) Deputies Jim O'Callaghan and Gary Gannon - to discuss increased antisocial behaviour in Dublin city; (3) Deputy Pat Buckley - to discuss the Mental Health Commission report into conditions at the Owenacurra …

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this particularly sensitive, urgent and pressing issue which has become more obvious as time goes by. I do not attribute blame to any particular individual, including the Minister or anybody else. Everything that could be done has been done and I acknowledge that there were difficulties during the past year due to Covid. However, needs must, and the emerging situation is very serious, first, from the point of view of parents of a child with severe sensory and emotional dif…

I thank the Minister of State for her extensive reply on behalf of her colleague. I accept that the Minister of State is doing everything possible and is very active on the ground. As we all know in this House, no matter how active someone is, some things get away from him or her. Often, if things are supposed to work a certain way, it does not necessarily follow that they work that way. Another complication for young adults and adults is if they have an addiction. If they have an addiction, they will not be taken …

The next slot is being shared by Deputies Connolly and McNamara.

It has come to my attention the Social Democrats have yet to reply to the debate and that we must move on to Leader's Questions at 12 o'clock.

The Deputy might be as quick as he can. I am sorry about that.

I thank the Deputy. Before calling on the Social Democrats to reply, I must advise Members that we have to try to work to 12 o'clock. It is not mine or the Members' fault; it is just one of those things. I call Deputy Catherine Murphy.

I thank my colleague for sharing time. This is a important issue. If this debate were to be organised again, it would be helpful to have allowed for a longer debate to accommodate Members' contributions. Housing is the issue that has taken up most of our time and concerns when we engaged with constituents over the past seven years. There are a number of reasons for that. I have noted all the points made by previous speakers, some valid and others not so valid. An all-party committee that was set up back in 2014 enc…

All Deputies try to contribute on an issue of this magnitude. It is a very important issue. We can be cynical and sceptical about it, but we need to give it our best shot. It is to be hoped that this will be the last time we will have to do that because, as my colleague mentioned, people will become sceptical and they will pay a price. I still have 15 seconds left.

My apologies. I was slow to start. I thank the Acting Chairman. I appreciate that other Members are waiting to get in. I will take the matter up on the next occasion.