I concur with the remarks of my Kildare South colleague on the Defence Forces in general. The issue of the Defence Forces has been with us for a long time. Hopefully, it is not being ignored. I am told that it is not and I hope matters will develop in their favour in the not too distant future. The Finance Bill gives statutory effect to the provisions of the budget and I congratulate the Ministers and the Minister of State for the provisions they have introduced so far. This is a challenging time in which we find o…

It is unfortunate we are where we are. This is a serious issue and it has been thrust upon us. We did not bring it upon ourselves, nor did all other countries across the globe. The virus is here, however, and it is raging. It has been clearly demonstrated that meetings of people, however large or small, contribute to its spread. I do not mean people do so deliberately, but it just happens as a result of people meeting. Before the level 5 restrictions were introduced, it was obvious to some of us that serious breach…

This question relates to the extent to which the Minister has examined the need for vacancies to be filled at various levels throughout the HSE, with particular reference to the need for adequate permanent staff to deal with all exigencies that arise in the future.

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Is he satisfied that progress to date is sufficient to reassure him that there will be adequate resources available to his Department to meet future challenges, including the normal challenges as well as the Covid challenges? Is he satisfied that the recruitments sought already have been taken up by the HSE to the extent necessary?

Comment has been made regarding the availability of staff who answered the Be on Call for Ireland initiative and are available and ready to take up duties but have encountered delays. I understand there are logistical issues. Will the Minister assure the House that these offers will be taken up at the earliest possible date? In the event of there being an inability in the early stages to appoint people to full-time positions, will they be appointed to part-time positions while awaiting approval for the posts in que…

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 4 November 2020.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 29A and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Steven Matthews - to ask the Minister for Education for an up-to-date report and timeline for Greystones Community College, Greystones, County Wicklow, as it stands the schools faces increasing uncertainty regarding their school building; (2) Deputy Richard O'Donoghue - to discuss the reinstatement of physiotherapy for children with complex needs …

The purpose of this question is to ascertain the degree of preparedness as we approach 1 January for access to the continental and worldwide markets for Irish products.

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. Can I further inquire as to whether absolute plans are in place to bypass the UK itself in the event of there being no deal? The breakout from the EU could have more serious consequences for this country than we think at the present time. What has been put in place to address that issue? Are we prepared for both options, deal or no deal?

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. In his opinion and that of his Department, does he think adequate provision has been made to avoid a touchdown in the UK in the event that long queues or delays take place? That could make Irish products uncompetitive on UK or world markets, assuming the UK market will still be open. Are they satisfied that the necessary measures have been put in place to bypass the UK and deliver our goods to the Continent directly?

I have listened with interest to the debate on this Bill, which follows on from many similar debates in recent months. Lest Opposition Members feel that the Government is repressive and not conscious of the need to observe civil liberties, I assure them that the reverse is the case. Members of the Government are as alert as anybody else in this House to the fact that it is unfortunate that we must move to a situation of restricting people's rights and movements because of the challenge of the pandemic. There is no …

I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on this issue again. I sometimes get confused. Listening to the debate in this House and in other countries that have been similarly affected, one can come to a different conclusion. For instance, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden have all been held up as examples of how to deal successfully with this virus. We in public life, certainly on the Government side, were advised, by the Opposition more often than not, to copy that and that …

This question relates to the activities of criminal gangs and the degree to which success has been achieved in dealing with them. It is an issue that has been raised many times in the House. I have raised it myself on many occasions and I look forward to the reply.

I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. May I further inquire as to whether, in the proposed legislation, it is intended to further amend the bail laws? In the past, those laws were seen as being capable of being circumvented by criminal gangs. In addition, recidivism was an issue. Is it intended in the course of the proposed legislation to look again at this particular area of the law?

Has there been any noticeable change in the trend of re-offending since the revision of the bail laws took place? Has it been brought to the Minister's attention as to whether further changes of the nature suggested are required?

I apologise for my late arrival this morning. It was due to a pile-up on the motorway. I am glad I was not involved, but it delayed my journey by some time. I have listened carefully to the debate and I appreciate fully the importance of the issues and the need for a sound basis for the decision taken by the Government. The Minister and I have had past incarnations where we did not always sing from the same hymn sheet. That said, the situation facing the Government now is much more serious than people generally und…

I am taking a different side of the conversation.

Like everybody in the House, I have received numerous communications from my constituents concerned about another lockdown. Their concern arises because they have kept to the rules and regulations but there have been large-scale breaches of those rules by groups throughout the country. Given that the long weekend is coming, I plead with all concerned, and ask the Tánaiste to carry this message as well, that people should voluntarily comply with all the regulations and thereby bring the race of the virus to a halt.

I believe the next speaker is from the Government. Is it Deputy Richard Bruton? It is a long distance.

This is one of the sad occasions where we have to revisit our history. It is history long past in some cases and fairly recent history in other cases. As a Government party supporter I will vote whatever way the Government wishes to vote. I am aware of all the circumstances, the need and the urgency. I am aware of the need to protect and preserve the records for the future and all of that. However, this is a different issue. This issue affects women and children who were forgotten for years. The women of today and …