Amendment No. 8 is out of order.

Amendment Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, 16, 17, and 40 are related. Amendment No. 11 is a physical alternative to No. 10. Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, 16, 17, and 40 may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I was going to make this point before Senator Martin made it. The reality is that all of us in this House know we are in a dreadful situation with An Bord Pleanála at the moment, and it simply cannot be allowed to continue. I accept that amendments have been put forward by Senators Warfield, Higgins and others, but it has to be an improvement to implement what we are proposing here. Given where we are at the moment, it must be done. To be honest, and to explain this to Senator Warfield if he is not happy with me, I…

Very bad.

I think I will take up your offer to join that group. I join you in extending a céad míle fáilte to both of the ambassadors who are in attendance today.

I welcome the approval by the Cabinet of the agricultural and food supply chain Bill 2022, which is now ready to be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas. When this important Bill is enacted, it will establish a new independent statutory authority to be known as an rialtóir agraibhia, or the agrifood regulator. The legislation is being progressed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue. I am delighted that the Minister and the Government have approved this Bill. It fulfils a pro…

Is that our reading now?

Like all of my colleagues - the Leader, the Cathaoirleach and my many friends around the House - I deal with a large number of people every day and every week. I am concerned that so many people are saying everything is doomsday. Everything in this country is not doomsday. I accept when the Opposition and others say we have challenges with housing, the environment, etc. We have all of those challenges. As politicians, however, we have to lead and in a time of deep crisis we should all pull together to lead our peop…

I fully respect Senator Boyhan's right to stand up and say what he said. However, I am quite surprised and astounded by it. I could not let this debate continue without putting the record straight. Like most of my rural Fianna Fáil colleagues, I have at least six engagements per year with the IFA. I assure the House that at not stage did the IFA representatives express to me any concern about this. If they did, I would have addressed the matter. I find it strange that the IFA would approach one Senator and would no…

I extend a céad míle fáilte to Mr. Vincent Jennings and his colleagues. We all understand the immense energy costs the retail sector is facing now. I call Senator McDowell.

I apologise for cutting the Senator short but I want to ensure that Senator Lombard gets a bit of a say.

Senators Dolan and Seery Kearney are sharing five minutes.

I ask that Senator Seery Kearney speak without interruption.

I thank the Senator.

Thank you, Senator. I have been very-----

I have given the Senator a lot of extra time. I am sorry for interrupting her. I do not think anybody deliberately interrupted her earlier. It was just a little joke that went around.

I thank Senator Kyne for being spot on in his timing. Senator Buttimer is next and has five minutes.

In fairness to Senator Gavan, people could have interrupted him but they did not. I am asking him to act as he usually does and not interrupt. Is that okay?

If it is a point of order he is annoyed about then he should make the point to me. Thank you.

I will only speak for two and a half minutes because, at this point in such debates, there tends to be a great deal of repetition. I support and commend the budget. In excess of 2 million people, or 64% of all taxpayers, will benefit from the income tax changes. Many welfare supports and extra payments have also been given to people. We all know what they are. This is year 3 of the most extraordinary situation that any Government has had to face. We had two years of Covid, during which most would agree the Governme…