I do not have a sense that the Taoiseach, and the head of Fianna Fáil, takes such a different position. In fact, going back to the repeal vote, he took a position at that time that was probably difficult within his party. He and the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, have taken similar positions in anything I have heard. It is similar with Fine Gael. I have never heard the previous Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, or the Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar, say anything different regarding the approach on this …

Deputy Grealish has a good, clear understanding of the history of transport in Galway. I remember that an engineer looked at the city in the late 1990s and stated that there would be a real problem there unless we changed our ways, because the emphasis on building road networks and roundabouts was going to cause gridlock. That is what that person argued at the time, and it subsequently turned out to be true. Galway city's transport system is not working. I would argue that it is the city in this country which is th…

I understand that Galway County Council has already set up and advanced the negotiation strategy for the road project. All affected householders are invited to participate. Subject to the decision for approval, I encourage Galway County Council - and we will do everything we can in this regard - to assist those householders who have been affected. I wish to make one final point. Going back to my earlier statements, I do not wish to be critical of Galway. However, we must think about the special beauty of the city. …

I thank the Senator for raising this topical and important issue. I will give some of the historical background to the issue because what he is suggesting was considered when the first Luas plans were being drawn up. The original plan was to run a cycleway alongside the Luas, right the way through along all the sections. It makes obvious sense. It is flat terrain and would provide a direct route into town, existing alongside Dundrum Road, which is difficult and dangerous, so it made a great deal of sense. At the la…

We have to assess a number of different key questions or big projects. First, we must prioritise housing in a new housing for all strategy, which we must deliver in the coming months. Second, there is a review of the national development plan, which must be done in tandem with the climate action plan. All this is within a very tight timeframe. I believe we should aim to try to get that done before the end of this term. The recovery and resilience facility fits within that, but it is just one of the elements we will…

I support the construction of that seawall or further protections and cycle facilities on the coastal side. It will take time because it is an special area of conservation and we all know the environmental sensitivities and the planning difficulties that would involve. Let that not stop us doing immediately what we need to do, which is to build the Strand Road section of the coastal cycle route. We would then be able to do a section from Sean Moore Road down Pigeon House Road. There is a pinch point at the East Lin…

I look forward to that debate, but it is only one measure in a series of very important initiatives in the next few months.

I advise that the Deputy's representative on the Business Committee raise it in that committee, where it can be discussed and decided on for future Dáil business.

I understand there will be time for a debate on that subject. My understanding is that the vast majority of the House is supportive of the approach. If there is anyone with a contrary view, they will have every opportunity to articulate it tomorrow.

A number of Deputies have mentioned this issue to me and I am well aware of it. It is a real concern. That is why the Government and the Department are looking at how the scheme is being applied in practice. There have been different characteristics in different parts of the country. I will certainly pass on the Deputy's desire for 100% coverage for the cost of remediation to the relevant Minister.

I agree that we need to prioritise safety when investing in our road network and, in many instances, that applies to issues such as the surface of the roads. I will sign off on a climate adaptation fund later this week which concerns the protection of road surfaces that have been affected by heavy rainfall and hail events, the sorts of things mentioned by the Deputy. Those are becoming significant issues as floodwaters wash away surfaces and create dangerous driving conditions. I will commit to that. I will ask TII…

We will always push for that, particularly at the level of local government, which is where this must apply. My understanding is that, in 2018, our councillors pushed for 70% of the overall development to be available for cost rental. The Social Democrats had a motion at the time calling for a significant number to be available for cost rental but did not set a particular percentage. The Green Party will always try to get the highest proportion, particularly of new public housing solutions such as the development t…

I expect Government will be able to give legal clarity very shortly. I will certainly pass that on to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and look forward to presenting the case.

I was glad to be able to talk to some of the pilots who were protesting outside the convention centre today and give them a similar commitment I will give to the Deputy, which is that we will do everything to see the aviation sector return and with it all the range of different benefits that accrue to our country. To be clear, Shannon Airport will see flights returning. I expect Aer Lingus to be back flying from Shannon Airport in September and flights from the states equally returning. In a meeting I had with the …

Every different section of our society has suffered in this Covid-19 pandemic and we must think of each of them. I would argue, however, that our younger people are the ones to whom we must be particularly attentive. They will be the last to be vaccinated.

They have suffered most in terms in their education and work. They have lost most jobs, and within that, they are the ones who particularly suffer from the lack of a theory test or the delay in getting a driving test. We will put all the resources of the State into reducing that waiting list, including the use of online theory tests.

It will happen, and not just that.

As we return in June and measures are relieved, critical within that, and almost my first priority, would be allowing people to come back to have theory tests.

For younger people, in particular, in terms of accessing work, that is going to be critical and it will be our top priority.

Such respite services are a huge relief to families. I will ask the relevant Minister to consider the case for the restoration of seven-day services in the Seaview centre in Mountcharles, as the Deputy requests.