The Taoiseach is being most unfair-----

There are serious issues relating to the vaccine and there are serious issues relating to trust and transparency. The comments of the Taoiseach in personalising things when a person such as me asks a Leaders' Question, the opportunity for which only comes up on a circular basis, are not helpful. I do not take it personally, but the thing is that the Taoiseach is ignoring the facts I raised and my colleagues are raising relating to the serious issues of how we get people to take the vaccination in sufficient numbers…

Unfortunately we have run out of time so the matter to be raised by Deputy Danny Healy-Rae will be dealt with tomorrow.

We have moved very quickly through the contributions and some of those due to speak are only on their way. I will invite the Minister of State to speak.

The debate has moved quickly and, through no fault of their own, speakers from the Rural Independent Group and the Independent Group were not in the Chamber earlier to contribute. If it is acceptable to the House, I will allow those speakers in now. There are four speakers from the Rural Independent Group proposing to share time, beginning with Deputy Danny Healy-Rae.

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing this Bill before the House and for putting the focus on homelessness. The Bill seeks to provide a legal definition of "persons at risk of homelessness", as has been set out. I will not repeat what has been said. I support the Bill notwithstanding the deficits in it. It sets out to provide a definition, to put the focus on homelessness and to ensure that supports will be given. I also welcome the fact that the Minister has said the collection of data has much improved and that he stand…

Before the first question I wish to congratulate the Minister. I did not get the chance to do so on my own behalf.

The next questions are in the names of Deputies Gary Gannon, Neale Richmond, Niamh Smyth, Bríd Smith, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Éamon Ó Cuív and Brendan Griffin. I understand committee meetings are taking place and it is difficult for Members to be present, although Deputy Murnane O'Connor was present but has stepped out. Deputies should make arrangements with the Ceann Comhairle's office for their questions to be taken. Has that been done?

I thank the Deputy. We will move on to Question No. 14 as Deputy O'Sullivan is present..

I understand Deputy Colm Burke is taking the next question.

I will now go back to Question No. 10 in the name of Deputy Bríd Smith.

We are out of time, but Deputy Bríd Smith can make a brief comment.

Every Teachta deserves his or her time, so I ask that the time limit of one minute be observed.

I am sure the Minister is familiar with the emergency department in the hospital in Galway. At what stage is this project? When will planning permission be submitted? Prior to the 2016 general election, the former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, stated that the existing department was not fit for purpose. Deputy Varadkar, who later became Taoiseach, stated that it was not fit for purpose. The current Taoiseach said it was not fit for purpose. Between feasibility problems and business case design, I have no idea what stage t…

I asked for a response in plain English. Where is the planning permission at? When will the planning application be submitted for the emergency department in Galway? In 2017, the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, told us that a new emergency department for University Hospital Galway was being designed with a view to planning for construction being provided as part of the 2017 capital plan review. This hospital serves almost 1 million people from Donegal right down along the west coast. That is six or seven c…

My question was specifically on the Minister's engagement with the HSE regarding the plan to develop a new emergency department. Given the history of this matter, it is quite obvious that planning permission was the main thing. I have a slightly different opinion. I believe that a brand new hospital should be built on the 150 to 180 acres of the Merlin Park Hospital site and that both facilities should be used as sister hospitals. I am no expert, however. The options appraisal did recommend a brand new hospital. Th…

The staff do exceptional work, it is the building I am concerned about.

There are only three minutes remaining for the next question.

I thank the Minister.

I thank the Deputy. We are out of time.