Let the Tánaiste reply.

The Tánaiste has the floor.

Deputy Ó Broin has had his minutes. Please let the Tánaiste respond uninterrupted.

If you could finish, Tánaiste-----

I have given the Tánaiste extended time. I will deal with the matter afterwards. I ask him to finish the reply.

I did not hear what was said but it is unacceptable to keep interrupting any speaker. It was the Tánaiste on the floor. It is unacceptable, no matter how deeply the Deputy feels on the subject. I ask Deputy Ó Broin to-----

Thank you. Can we move on with co-operation and respect from all sides?

Before moving on to Questions on Promised Legislation, ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi Gerry O’Gorman, an príomhoifigeach seirbhíse i dTithe an Oireachtais. Tá mé díreach curtha ar an eolas go bhfuil sé ag éirí as a phost tar éis 21 bliain ag obair ar ár son agus ar son an chórais dhaonlathach. Sin 21 bliain as saol oibre 42 bliain. Chomh maith leis sin, tá a bhean chéile Ann ag éirí as a post tar éis 18 mí anseo ag obair ar ár son chun a chinntiú go rabhamar slán agus sábháilte. Guím rath ar an mbeirt acu agu…

I remind Members that this is Questions on Promised Legislation and also on issues arising under the programme for government. I ask that we avoid statements. If Members choose to make comments across the floor, the time is running and it is one minute. I ask Members to stick to the issues. Táim ag cur tús leis an bpróiseas anois le Sinn Féin.

The Deputy should conclude.

Thank you, Deputy. We are over time.

Thank you, Deputy.

I ask Deputies for their co-operation as there are 13 more speakers to get through. Some Members are indicating that they wish to come in on another question. I remind them that there is a new system in place and they may not come in on another Member's question.

We are over time, Deputy.

My question relates to the apprenticeship action plan and the target of 10,000 new apprentice registrations by 2025. How many of these will be earmarked as craft apprenticeships and what analysis has been done of the requirements of the various sectors for the different types of apprentice?

I thank the Minister of State. I have read the plan. I welcomed the plan. I asked what analysis has been done in regard to the number of craft apprentices within the figure of 10,000 per year. That is one question. My second question asked what analysis has been done of the requirements of different sectors. We all know that we are facing a climate change crisis and that there will be huge possibilities in that sector for apprentices, as well as in the housing sector. The Minister of State did not really answer my …

Has the national apprentice office actually been set up? Has it been resourced? If so, when was it set up? Please can the Minister of State confirm that? What is the plan to deal with the existing waiting list of 10,000 people? There are huge implications here for the apprentice’s money and educational pathways. I have the privilege of coming from a large family. We had a variation of vocations and jobs in our house. I know exactly the value of this. The problem with different governments was that they did not valu…

Last night, I mentioned some of the positive things in the budget, but I also put it in context. I put it in the context of the sustainable development goals to eradicate poverty that we signed up to, the challenges of the climate and biodiversity crisis, and the pandemic. Before I go into other matters tonight, I want to speak about the eradication of poverty that we signed up to. The Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, earlier referred to the tax changes, as did the Taoiseach. In his speech, the Taoiseach said, "t…

Thank you, Deputy. You are over the time.

Please, through the Chair.