I am asking the Taoiseach to deal with these issues in rural Ireland and give people a chance to live there.

There were 16 in one house.

I am sorry to hear that.

Can the Taoiseach do anything about the serial objectors?

It does not seem like that down below in Kerry.

The expiry dates of many driving licences were extended during Covid, so if a driving licence originally expired during August this year, the expiry date was extended to December. These licences are now up for renewal. There is chaos trying to get a date to renew these appointments, as they are booked in advance. Elderly drivers and those with underlying health conditions would prefer not to have to travel to the National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, centres from places such as Cahirsiveen and Lauragh all the way …

It is hard to find him.

The Taoiseach is mistaken about that.

I am glad to have the opportunity to support this very important motion. Our student nurses must be treated fairly and with respect and dignity. Electricians, plumbers, mechanics etc. are all paid as apprentices. Student nurses who serve on the front line need to be looked after, respected and paid. I also call for the €100 registration fee to be waived for this year. We should respect the nurses who did so much for the people of the country this year. I call on the Government to restore parity to section 39 worker…

The Taoiseach has hurt many thousands of rural publicans, customers and people. What he has done, no other Fianna Fáil leader or Taoiseach in the past would have done to rural Ireland. What the Taoiseach has done is anti-village and anti-rural. Publicans and customers will have no Christmas. They are saying the Taoiseach does not care and that he has his job for another year or so and he is happy with that. The Taoiseach has belittled rural publicans and rural people. He does not trust them. Yet, there will certain…

Where is the Taoiseach's evidence?

The Taoiseach has no evidence.

This the most anti-rural Government.

I am glad to get the opportunity to mention some important things. The first thing relates to fisheries. I appeal to the Minister of State not to leave our fishermen short. Their job is onerous and dangerous at the best of times. There are many in the Dingle Peninsula, Cahersiveen, Castletown Berehaven and all along the Kenmare Estuary. They depend a great deal on fishing. It is the one product that goes up through our village day and night. I am proud to see each load that passes up and glad to see it happening. A…

On keeping rural pubs closed, to give the Minister an idea of this situation, places like Gneevgullia, Scartaglin, Fieries, Curra, Headfort, Barraduff and Rathmore have no pubs that can open. A number of pubs can open in Killarney. On a Saturday night, about half the pubs in Killarney will be open. What is going to happen then? As sure as day follows night, there will be a bigger crowd in Killarney than ever before. The town is usually well able to cater for crowds, but now half the pubs will not be open. A combina…

I want to highlight a section of our society that has been badly affected and has not benefited from the CRSS, that is, fish suppliers and suppliers of all kinds to the hospitality sector. These businesses were not officially closed down at all but because the places to which they were supplying their wares had been closed down, they have suffered immensely. Even though the incomes and businesses of fish suppliers, meat suppliers and vegetable suppliers that were supplying the hospitality sector have been washed up…

I am left on the hind teat all the time and have only a small amount of time. I thank the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, for standing his ground and for giving the money to the greyhound industry. Like many other sports, the sector is in trouble because of the loss in gate receipts and other fundraising events it would have had. I am sorry many lies were told by the Social Democrats around the funding and about the care owners take of their dogs. I did not meet one person in all of Kerry last weekend who was against…

I too was very disappointed to see the senior Minister running out the door the minute-----

She is gone anyway. I am not belittling the junior Minister who is present in any way but this is a serious issue. Fianna Fáil knows well what happened on the doorsteps before the general election, as do all the other parties and candidates. Commitments were given by certain parties that if they got into power, they would rectify the situation and ensure the pension age remained at 65. There are many public servants who have to retire at 65. It is absolutely ridiculous that they have to go on the dole for a year. T…

I am very sorry, a Chathaoirligh, I was left short of time, but I am finishing.