The time Deputy McGrath has spent on his feet arguing was about one minute.

That is how cynical the Opposition is.

When the Opposition wrote to the Government-----

What the Government-----

Why does Deputy Mac Lochlainn need two rounds?

I thank the three Ministers for being here with us and all the staff who are here as well at this unearthly hour. This question is about the development of the bioeconomy. Can I get an update on what efforts the Department is making to develop the bioeconomy? Obviously, there are huge opportunities here for regional development and for farmers, fishermen and foresters as well so I would like an update, please.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is clear important work is going on and that is very welcome. I will emphasise the importance of continued investment in the area of research and development. We need to continue that work if we are to give opportunities to residents of parts of the country such as where I come from in south Kerry to have prosperous futures. As I said, I welcome the ongoing efforts but I wish to bring to the Minister of State's attention an area that has recently been brought to my…

On the wool front, obviously many of the areas where sheep farming is prominent also tend to be areas without a huge amount of industry. It is not a rule but it is a feature in many areas. Perhaps, we could establish some sort of communication between people involved in the industry in County Kerry and the Minister of State in the near future to explore what the options are and see if this area could be pursued further. We need to be resourceful and to ensure that every opportunity is pursued fully. I acknowledge t…

I have been nominated to discuss question No. 32 in place of Deputy Richard Bruton. I wish Deputy Cairns a happy birthday. The first hour and a half of it is gone but there are still 22 and a half hours to enjoy.

My question is about the effect the Covid-19 pandemic has had on greenhouse gases so far this year. It would be an interesting area to learn more about in light of some of the accusations that are levelled at farmers about their contributions to greenhouse gases. I also want to know what opportunities could be pursued in 2021 for farmers.

Covid-19 has been an absolute disaster on many fronts but, at the same time, we must see the times of lockdown as an interesting and potentially informative reference period for climate change and greenhouse gases. It is a chance to better inform ourselves about factors that contribute in both these areas. I encourage as much research as possible to be done into the year 2020 in Ireland and the effects on greenhouse gas levels, particularly during periods of lockdown. That could help to inform future policy. I also…

We must work with farmers to show the opportunities that are available under new schemes-----

-----and to try to encourage greater take-up of more innovative schemes.

What comment is the Leas-Cheann Comhairle referring to?

What comment is the Leas-Cheann Comhairle referring to?

Where a Deputy is a second or two over-----

I know that but, with all due respect to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle-----

-----going a second or two over the time limit is not much of a misdemeanour. There has to be reasonable-----

I know that but being interrupted having gone a second or two over the limit is a bit unreasonable.

I wish to be clear to the Minister, in my remaining time, that the reason 2020 will be an important reference year is that, as we know, many sectors shut down while agriculture kept going, more or less. Farmers take a lot of unfair flak at times about greenhouse gas emissions and their contribution to climate change. I am confident that 2020 will show that a lot of the flak that the sector takes is unjustified and unwarranted. That is why it is critical that thorough research is conducted into the impacts of the lo…