Yes, the Deputy may.

I wish to raise the issue of the unwelcome possibility of electricity blackouts in the next six months or so. I would ask the Minister if provision can be made to ensure that we will be sufficiently prepared for such eventualities and that every effort is being made to ensure that these unwelcome prospects do not occur.

If I may be so bold, as the Ceann Comhairle and I well know, I do not come from a maritime county. As we all know, however, we have a multiplicity of harbours in our county. We have two canals, a harbour in every town and the Barrow navigation. We are fairly familiar with the waterways. I agree with much of what my colleague, Deputy Connolly, had to say. I would respectfully put my hand up in defence of some of the poor, much-maligned Government backbenchers, who can never do anything right. We have to progress eve…

As no one else is offering, I call the Minister of State to conclude.

I am sorry to interrupt the Minister of State but as it is now 7 p.m., I must ask him to move the motion to adjourn the debate.

We will allow that. The time is almost up.

Does Deputy Quinlivan want to move the motion to adjourn the debate at this point and take it up on the next occasion?

We move now to Topical Issue matters. Deputies Christopher O'Sullivan, Stanton, Martin Kenny and Verona Murphy are all involved. I call Deputy O'Sullivan to discuss the need for significant increase in accessible housing in the local authority housing stock.

I have raised this issue previously but it needs to be raised again with the Taoiseach. I am referring to the urgent need to have a debate in this House on human rights abuses globally. They are increasing at an alarming rate and without any major response. We should ensure the debate is used as a means of focusing attention, through the UN Security Council, on the issue and of ensuring the United Nations will take appropriate action as a matter of urgency.

This question seeks to focus on the difficulties experienced by many enterprises in replacing staff who need to be replaced following the lifting of the regulations. Might it be possible to speed up the processing of work permits and visas relating to their particular situation, because many of them have to go outside the jurisdiction?

I thank the Minister of State for his detailed reply. Arising from the information, I appreciate that he understands the situation. Is it possible to speed up all the areas where particular obstacles have arisen? I know some of these things take time. Having regard to the losses suffered by employers and employees during the pandemic restrictions, it would be beneficial in the run-up to the Christmas season to get that established as quickly as possible in order that the businesses that are now trying to place peop…

I will accept this reply as the final reply.

I know that.

I am happy with the general thrust of the Minister of State's reply.

I thank the Minister of State.

This question seeks to raise the possible double negative impact of Brexit and the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, to try to ensure the future viability of the agrifood production sector and our exports.

I thank the Minister of State for his substantive reply. Does he remain satisfied that the negotiations on compliance with revised UK standards will be resolved to the satisfaction of the industry here? Is he satisfied that the steps being taken by the industry are sufficient to ensure the future viability of the sector, with particular reference to employment in our respective constituencies?

I thank the Minister of State again. Is he satisfied that there is in his Department a quick-response system that will identify the issues as they arise and attempt to clarify outstanding difficulties to ensure the streamlined continuity of exportation from the point of view of industry here and given the importance of the industry in the aftermath of Covid and the need for the economic recovery that we all long for?

To what extent have the various schemes available to the Minister been made available throughout the country in connection with Covid? To what extent does she continue to review the progress of those schemes, with the possibility of intervention at a later stage if necessary?

I thank the Minister of State. How are the various projects progressing and being taken up? Is there a further requirement to revisit these schemes in light of the impact of Covid? To what extent are the current proposals and provisions deemed sufficient to meet the requirements in full?