As regards vaccinations at home for people who are housebound, I am finding it extremely difficult to get information on the roll-out of home vaccinations for people with serious medical conditions. I ask the Minister to update the House on that situation and to provide information to Deputies on it, even if that has to be done privately. There is a significant amount of concern on the issue.

I refer to the change announced this week in terms of the roll-out. I too have been contacted by a significant number of people, particularly teachers and gardaí, who have serious concerns about the change. Rather than going the full hog and moving to the system that is now proposed, would it not be more advisable to first look at those high-risk categories and the older cohorts of individuals within those categories? If they cannot all be vaccinated now, will the Minister not look at the older and more vulnerable …

On the Government’s remote working strategy, I commend the Tánaiste’s initiative in signing the new code of practice today to give all employees the right to disconnect from work. Remote working has transformative potential, particularly for rural constituencies like mine and many other rural locations. It is crucially important that as we make the transition in this regard, we protect the rights of workers. That is why today’s initiative on the right to disconnect is very important. Can the Tánaiste outline his fu…

I raise with the Taoiseach the need for additional supports for the tourism and hospitality sector. Operators in this sector are having a really difficult time. I acknowledge the supports that have been put in place to date but much more is needed. We also need to send out a very strong signal from Government through the extension of the period for which the 9% VAT rate will apply. It is really important that, as more and more people in our communities are vaccinated - and I congratulate everyone involved in that e…

I want to raise the issue of the urban regeneration and development fund. There was disappointment in some towns this week following announcements that were made. I want to emphasise how important it is, in my own constituency, that Tralee and Killarney would receive positive outcomes. There have been multimillion euro applications made by both towns. Our county has been hit the hardest of all counties in Ireland by the Covid crisis. Now more than ever, these towns need help. I urge both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste …

On the same issue, I take this opportunity to express my complete outrage at what has happened at Davy. It is particularly concerning, as referred to by Deputy O'Donnell, that what happened in the company came in the wake of financial scandals that rocked this country just a few short years before. It is absolutely unacceptable and it is completely disgusting to the many people who worked hard and lost a lot of money in recent years. I emphasise how important it is that this matter is treated with the utmost import…

I thank the Minister for all the information she has provided this morning. It is clear from her answers how much work is going on in her Department. In recent years, the town and village renewal scheme has been beneficial to countless towns and villages all over the country, including in my constituency of County Kerry. I am hoping the Minister will be able to update the House on the scheme and her plans for 2021.

I emphasise how important funding is for the various towns and villages. The figure of 1,200 projects is remarkable. I do not have time here to cover the number of towns and villages in my constituency which have received funding. In some cases the funding is relatively small, but the cumulative impact of funding from the town and village scheme, CLÁR and the rural regeneration and development fund, combined with the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, ORIS, and other schemes under Fáilte Ireland and various …

Ten years ago, these types of funding injections were badly needed but not available. I emphasise the cumulative effect of these different schemes. When taken together over time, they have a direct impact with projects that are visible when people visit towns and villages. They also help to rebuild areas that have been decimated. That is why it is so important that the Minister maintains this funding. Speaking on behalf of the people of Kerry and the many towns and villages that have benefited, it is appreciated. T…

I want to ask the Minister about the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, especially her plans for County Kerry. This is a fantastic scheme. I referenced it earlier regarding the cumulative effect of these injections of funding in rural areas. In particular, I want to ask the Minister about projects such as the Dingle Way, which is a very important economic lifeline in County Kerry. What are the Minister's plans for funding this project? There is also the centenary walk in Ballykissane near Killorglin, which w…

The Minister has nailed it. In the post-Covid world this scheme will be more important than ever. I am very heartened to see there is an increase in funding. I urge the Minister to do everything she can to try to assist as many projects as possible. There is an element of loaves and fishes for her when she has so many applications and only a limited amount of resources. It is money very well spent that gives a return to the Exchequer and communities. It also helps to maintain Ireland and various locations around th…

Despite the massive efforts of everybody involved in our school communities in Kerry to try to contain and keep out Covid-19, unfortunately we have seen a significant outbreak of Covid in the mid-Kerry school catchment area. In particular, one school in the mid-Kerry area is reporting extremely serious figures and each pupil and member of staff in that school has been asked to stay at home and get tested. In this context, there is huge worry in the mid-Kerry area that there will be contagion throughout the school n…

We have had some really positive news recently regarding the merger of Cork Institute of Technology, CIT, and IT Tralee to the proposed Munster technological university, MTU. Could the Minister outline to the House his views as to how this merger can benefit the region? It is one of the most exciting developments in the region in many years. I would be very grateful to hear his views.

There is a very proud tradition of higher education in the county, from the Tralee RTC days to IT Tralee. The MTU is a very exciting next step and is, as the Minister has quite rightly pointed out, a massive opportunity for the region but particularly County Kerry, which I represent. We will now have university education available to people in the county. What is critically important now is that we ensure there is that synergy with local enterprise to ensure that the appropriate courses and skills are developed in …

The Minister referred to opportunities for young people. As a father of two young children who, I hope, in the next 11 or 12 years will be looking at higher education options, having the university option in the county is enormous, and it will be a game changer for so many people. The Minister also referred to Fexco, just one indigenous company in the county that has proven to be a global success. I recently referred to it as being where Laune Valley meets Silicon Valley. Fexco has done so much for the county of Ke…

Táim fíorbhuíoch as ucht an tseans chun an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé inniu. What is the up-to-date position in respect of the campaign to posthumously pardon Mr. John Twiss, who was executed in 1895 for a crime that most independent observers now concede he could not possibly have committed?

I thank the Minister for her response. I acknowledge the great work the Michael O'Donohoe Memorial Heritage Project has done on this case. For the relatives of John Twiss, it is very emotive and important that they have justice done for their ancestor. I acknowledge the Minister's enthusiasm from the start. Within days of taking office she was on the case. I also acknowledge the work of her predecessor, Deputy Flanagan, who took the case very seriously and moved it forward. I hope that all of those working on the c…

I am very grateful for that reassurance and I know what it will mean for the family of John Twiss, as well as for people like Johnnie Roche, who has never given up the fight on this along with his many colleagues in the Michael O'Donohoe Memorial Heritage Project in Castleisland. They firmly believe in John Twiss's innocence. Many experts over the years have examined the case in detail and have found there is no possible way this man could have committed the terrible crime that was committed. Let us not forget that…

May I just point out that it is not in order for people to stray into the area of the personal suitability of somebody who has already been selected? This has happened on numerous occasions already today and it should not continue.

The Deputy knows it is not in order.