I wish to raise the important issue of the backlogs in driving tests and driver theory tests. The pandemic has created havoc in respect of both backlog lists. What is the plan to clear both lists? These are very important services throughout the country, both in rural Ireland, which is often mentioned, and urban Ireland. It is vital that these services would be available speedily to people all over the country.

I commend the efforts to keep the service going as much as possible during the pandemic at the times when it was possible to operate. I acknowledge it is important that essential workers would be prioritised, but I believe that more could be done, particularly in respect of online theory tests. That is an area where there could be greater progress. I must express concern about some of the current technology requirements and the broadband requirements because in many areas broadband is simply not yet up to scratch a…

I thank the Minister. I acknowledge the safe operating record as well. Those figures are fantastic. The Minister has set out very ambitious targets there and I hope they will be met. I ask the Minister to personally keep a close eye on it because it is so important to so many people. What the Minister has said here this morning will be reassuring to the hundreds of people who have been in contact with my office. I am sure I speak for every Deputy in this House, as Deputies' offices are being inundated with callers …

I wish to ask about moneys that will go unspent by the Department. There are shovel-ready LIS projects across the country that badly need funding. Although they have moved from the Department of Transport to the Department of Rural and Community Development, I ask that the Minister engage with the Minister for Rural and Community Development. We have thousands of roads around the country, many of which are used for walking and cycling because they are quieter country roads that keep people off the busy main roads. …

I move: That the Ceann Comhairle direct the Clerk of the Dáil to issue his writ for the election of a member to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the membership of the present Dáil consequent on the resignation of Deputy Eoghan Murphy, a Member for the constituency of Dublin Bay South.

I spent last Saturday morning filling potholes on a little local road near home. It is one of the 800 local improvement scheme, LIS, roads in County Kerry currently awaiting funding. This road serves a vital community purpose. It links two local roads and allows people to walk and cycle safely off the busy regional road. I acknowledge the work of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, and her predecessor, Deputy Ring, in providing funding of more than €4 million to Kerry since 2017. How…

I add my voice to the broad welcome for the measures that were announced yesterday by the Government. Certain voices in the House criticised some of the measures. I suppose that is the job of the Opposition, but one would think that when it comes to something as important as national recovery after a once-in-a-century pandemic that there would be an objective approach to what is going on or what is being done by the Government. Unfortunately, party politics has got in the way again of what is the most important iss…

I just want to-----

They are reserved slots.

There is a solution, which is allowing the reserved slots as well. It is very simple and everyone gets to have a say.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. I welcome that the Government, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, have brought the motion before the House, as it is very important that we would do that. As I was coming into Leinster House earlier today, I paused briefly to speak to some of the demonstrators who had gathered outside the gates in solidarity with the people of Belarus. The thought struck me as I informed one of the protesters that I would be speaking on the motion…

I speak today on behalf of the pubs and restaurants that will not open next week. I call for consideration of their plight when the Cabinet meets tomorrow to discuss the further reopening of the economy and consider how these businesses feel when they see other indoor venues opening for dining and drinking next week when they are not able to open. I am calling for fairness and consistency in how we treat all pubs and restaurants. I also call for an early signal that there will be continuation of the supports in pla…

I ask the Taoiseach again about the situation facing people journeying through maternity. For many, attending scans at 12 weeks and 20 weeks can be a difficult time if there is not good news. Nobody should do it alone. There seem to be inconsistencies still, despite the commitments made on allowing partners to accompany pregnant women throughout the maternity journey. Will the Taoiseach redouble his efforts to ensure there is total consistency throughout the country for every woman and her partner as they journey t…

Will the Government give an early signal to the tourism and hospitality sector that the 9% rate of VAT will be continued for 2022 and, ideally, beyond that? As the Taoiseach will be aware, the reduced rate, from 13.5% to 9%, was introduced in respect of 2021 as a stimulus to the industry but most operators have not been able to benefit from that yet. There will be a difficult and long recovery road ahead. Right now, businesses are taking bookings for weddings and selling holidays abroad for 2022 and yet they do not…

I move: It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, and until further notice in the 33rd Dáil, that topical issues submitted for Wednesdays shall reach the Clerk not later than 1 p.m. the day before, save where Wednesday is the first sitting day of the week, in which case the normal deadline of 10 a.m. that morning will apply.

Can the Government consider the creation of a new bank holiday at the end of September as a boost to the tourism and hospitality sector? I welcome the announcements that were made recently on reopening and I hope, as the momentum around the vaccine roll-out grows, that we will see further easing of restrictions in the sector. Once children go back to school next September, we will see a major fall-off in the domestic market. I, therefore, believe a bank holiday at the end of September would be very helpful. In Kerr…

The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, plays a very important role in addressing public waiting lists. That is more important now than ever. It is also crucial that acute hospitals in the public system co-operate with the NTPF as they go about their business, in the interest of patient safety. My information suggests that University Hospital Kerry has not been co-operating with the NTPF recently, resulting in significant delays for patients who are on waiting lists for scope procedures. How is this happening? …

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. While I was in the Chamber, for whatever reason her information had not been updated. Can I put to the Minister first and foremost-----

I am sure that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle did not have the name but it had been given in by the Whip's office. I will try to put the questions and answers here to the Minister within the three minutes that I have. What measures are in place to ensure that what happened at the Beacon Hospital does not happen again and can he give assurances that there will be protocols in place to ensure that anybody who is contacted at short notice is assured that everything is kosher? As a result of what happened at the Beacon Hosp…

I have two further questions, so I ask the Minister to-----