There is no interaction. It is just a case of putting my questions.

I am beginning to doubt myself, but am I correct in saying there is no increase in the levy? Okay. That is the first thing to correct, that there is no proposal to increase the levy. What we are doing here is putting the climate action fund, which is already in place on an administrative basis, onto a statutory basis. Then we are extending the remit of the fund to use that money better and for more projects. The 3 cent is exactly what is there at the moment and we are now putting that on a statutory footing and tak…

Baineann mo cheist leis an co-operative movement. I am not sure if the Tánaiste is replying to this question, but what plans has he to review and strengthen the co-operative sector? I ask this against a background of many promises and reports stretching over 60 years. The legislation in this area dates back to the 19th century, with one amendment to it in the 20th century. What steps are being taken?

I do not have a copy of the reply to hand, which makes it a little awkward to respond to the Minister of State. I welcome the fact that the heads of the scheme will be published. Forgive my cynicism, however, as I go back over 60 years of promise after promise. Following a suggestion from Mr. Lemass, a report was published in 1964. We move forward to a report in 1986, 20 years later, and to 2007, when there was a very good report from Forfás. In 2009 there was another consultation and there was a further consultati…

I welcome that commitment from the Minister of State and I will certainly judge him on his actions. The reason 60 years was mentioned was to put it into perspective. The legislation dates back to 1893 and gives no recognition to the distinct characteristics of co-operatives, or any reference to the co-operative principle. The Forfás report in 2007 highlights that the co-operative sector in Ireland is vibrant, but concentrated in certain traditional sectors. It goes on to say that it is static. We simply have not us…

I welcome the opportunity to take part in the debate and thank Deputy Kerrane for bringing the motion before the House. I also thank Deputy Bríd Smith, who has put great work into this area. Really, though, this came from the ground, and what Sinn Féin has rightly done, and it deserves praise for having done so, is to respond to the organic movement of women on the ground. We have almost 30,000 signatures asking us to do something. I am very disappointed that the senior Minister has left. I realise that Ministers a…

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an mbeirt Airí nua. Guím gach rath ar an mbeirt. Tá trua agam don Aire sinsearach mar ní dóigh liom gur féidir níos mó cúraimí a chur faoin a stiúir. Baineann a ról le turasóireacht, ealaíon, cultúr, spóirt agus na Gaeltachtaí. Tá dúshlán ollmhór os a comhair. Maidir leis an Meastachán Athbhreithnithe, is scéal dearfach atá ann. Ní féidir cur in aghaidh an Mheastacháin seo. Tá airgead breise do na healaíona, do Údarás na Gaeltachta agus do na hearnáil eile. An rud atá in easnamh ná comhth…

Briathra millte arís. Cén rud a mbeidh ann roimh an Nollaig? An mbeidh sé foilsithe nó achtaithe?

Go raibh míle maith agat. Sin gealltanais amháin. Ó thaobh na n-oileán de, tá díomá orm go bhfuil na hoileáin anois faoi Roinn eile. Ceapaim gur droch-chinneadh é sin ach feicfimid. Tá mé sásta obair leis na hAirí agus leis an Roinn eile. Maidir le polasaí do na hoileáin, cá bhfuil sé? Níl sé luaite in aon áit. Chuireamar rún os comhair na Dála cúpla bliain ó shin agus ghlac formhór na Dála leis an rún sin maidir le polasaí do na hoileáin. Cé atá i gceannas anois? Tá na hoileáin faoi Roinn eile. Cathain a mbeidh an…

Ní thuigim sin. Cé hé an duine atá taobh thiar den pholasaí anois? Tá fhios agam go bhfuil córas cumarsáide i gceist agus tá sé sin thar a bheith tábhachtach. Ach tá sé níos tábhachtaí dáta a bheith againn maidir le cathain a mbeidh an polasaí foilsithe.

Gabhaim buíochas mór leis an Aire Stáit. Tugann sé sin beagáinín dóchais dom go mbeidh sibh ag coinneáil súil ghéar ar an bpróiseas. Cuirfidh mé an rud seo i gcomhthéacs. Tá méadú suntasach tagtha ar an daonra ar oileáin na hAlban de bharr go bhfuil reachtaíocht agus polasaí acu. Níl siad ag obair i bhfolús sa chaoi go bhfuil na hoileáin anseo agus tá an-tábhacht ag baint leis seo. Tá a fhios agam gur chuir Covid-19 isteach ar an bpróiseas ach bhí cruinnithe i gceist agus tá súil agam go bhfuil rud foghlamtha agaib…

Go raibh maith agat.

Is there a copy of the Minister's speech for everybody?

I have no difficulty touching it.

I ask the Deputy now to stay-----

It may well be but the debate now is on the Estimates, so will the Deputy confine himself to these, please?

The Deputy cannot make allegations in the midst of a contribution on the Revised Estimates. I would appreciate if the Deputy would co-operate with me I would appreciate it.

There may well be-----

A Aire, tá nóiméad aige, más féidir nó más mian leat freagra a thabhairt. The Minister has a minute or less to respond if he wishes to. If he does not I will move on to the next speaker.

There is some time left if the Minister wishes to use it but it is nearly gone now.