This is a similar question, but it concentrates on research, innovation and science. It relates to the old story that people traditionally emigrated from this country to take up positions abroad. There is now a climate in which people invest here and jobs are created as a result. To what extent will those higher qualifications in science, research and other areas be available?

Is the Minister satisfied that the provisions in this area, insofar as they can be determined at this stage, are sufficient to warrant confidence in people from abroad seeking to invest in jobs in this country?

Finally, is the Minister satisfied that we are capable of competing with competitors in Europe in respect of innovation, science and research well into the future, and that sufficient provision is being made now to cater for that?

Given the importance of the housing issue, what is the status of the proposed affordable housing amendment legislation and what impact is it expected to have on the housing issue?

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for facilitating the Members from north Kildare on this particular issue, which arose from a public meeting we had with the various school authorities in Celbridge in the past week. As we are all aware, heretofore Celbridge has experienced considerable pressure in terms of an increased population and will continue to so do for the foreseeable future. St. Raphael's Special School in Celbridge is a very old school, which is totally outdated. It is an unfortunate place for pupils and sta…

I thank the Minister of State for her helpful reply. My immediate response is that the location, site and infrastructure will be determined in the first instance by the local authority and its road traffic management proposals. A previous proposal was unveiled a year or so ago and it was not acceptable because it did not deal with the traffic problems at all. It is important to remember the location of the site for the schools in question will be determined to some extent by the location of the roads, hence the imp…

Before proceeding with the debate, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has informed the Ceann Comhairle that he wishes to make a personal explanation to the House pursuant to Standing Order 56.

This race has now concluded.

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 16 December 2020.

This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister proposes to follow up on the previous sustainable healthy agri-food plan.

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. Will he outline the degree to which he intends to shift emphasis, given the challenges that are coming down the track? Will he indicate the degree to which he and his Department have evaluated those challenges and, as a result, made decisions in terms of a particular shift in policy in order to obviate any negative impact?

Can the Minister of State inform the House as to the degree to which he has, at this time, identified precisely the nature and extent of the challenges facing the sector, particularly post Brexit? Does he consider that it may be necessary to introduce a more ambitious programme to shift the emphasis and focus onto new areas that will be of benefit directly to the agri-food sector?

Does the Minister of State expect that imports into third countries like Great Britain after 1 January will be subject to the same rigorous rules in respect of husbandry, processing and animal health? Will this be rigorously enforced to ensure that there will be no undermining of the standards that apply here and no undermining of the Irish producers in the context of what they are competing with?

Again, the most important thing in the kind of situation that is likely to emerge after 1 January is the degree to which the rules are enforced. Any breaches of the rules that go unchallenged would have a serious knock-on effect. Can the Minister of State be assured, and in turn reassure the House, that any breaches to introduce product into third countries and, subsequently, into EU countries will be vigorously contested and pursued?

Like other speakers, I welcome this important provision in the Finance Bill and congratulate the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, for the work that they put into it. It is long overdue and, as other speakers have pointed out, there is still more to be done, especially the updates to machinery that are simple to apply and do not take even a day to be fitted to be made workable. One or two things come to mind, such as some of the power take-off, PTO, shaft covers that …

That is not-----

I am sorry, but everyone has the right to raise a Topical Issue matter-----

-----without interruption.

Deputy O'Dowd to continue, please.

Deputies, please observe the usual courtesy when someone else is in possession. Allow Deputy O'Dowd to continue. Time is running out rapidly.