I appreciate the Cathaoirleach allowing this matter to be discussed. He is aware of its importance. I welcome my fellow county man, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Feighan, to the House to reply on this matter. I know he has a good interest in it. We have to consider the importance of this issue throughout the health sector. University Hospital Galway, UHG, is the western regional centre for neurology. However, it is short of neurology nurse specialists. Patients are waiting longer for dia…

I acknowledge the Minister of State realises we need more nurses in the neurology services. That is good news about University Hospital Galway. While it will not go the whole way, it will certainly make improvements, with three new appointments in 2022, I hope those appointments will happen in early 2022. I understand that, in the context of some of these matters, filling the position the nurse is leaving will be the issue. He or she may be ready to come into the neurological service but filling the position is an …

The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, who has left us now, mentioned forking the silage on her nice little trip down to Mayo. A lot of heads popped up from the phones and looked over with surprise. She is well known for forking out the silage on her own farm in Offaly. She is no stranger to it. Like other Senators I wish to express my good wishes to all the staff of this House who are excellent people. I thank the ushers, cleaners and everybody associated, those in the Library and Research Service, the Cathaoirle…

Dáil Éireann has agreed on the 15th day of December 2021 to the recommendations made by Seanad Éireann to the Finance Bill 2021 and has made amendments in consequence to the Bill.

I apologise for interrupting the Minister but I might stop her there because she will have an opportunity at the end of the debate to conclude her prepared remarks.

I thank the Minister for her co-operation.

I understand that the Acting Leader wishes to propose an amendment to the Order of Business.

Is that agreed?

This is just the proposal that we move ahead with these motions. The questions on each will be dealt with separately.

We now have statements on live industry supports. I know many Members have a keen interest in this area. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, to speak to us this evening. When she took office, she did not expect to be hit with a tsunami of Covid. I compliment her on all that has been done. I must keep an independent hat on me. I call on the Minister to speak for five minutes and then I will call on Senators to make their contributions. I give the floor to the Minister.

I ask Members to co-operate with the speaking times so everybody can say their piece. I call Senator Garvey on behalf of the Green Party.

I will let Senators know when they have 30 seconds left because I want to ensure all present get five minutes to contribute.

I thank Senator Cassells for his co-operation. I understand Senator Carrigy wishes to share time with Senator Currie. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Senators Warfield and Black have reversed their places. I will call Senator Black. Is that agreed? Agreed. I ask all remaining speakers to stick to their time.

I understand that because of Senator Black's involvement in the music industry her address was quite emotional. We all understand where she is coming from. I will move to Senator Wall. I ask Senators to keep to four minutes, if they can. I will get rid of my four minutes to give them the time, which is fair for me to do.

I appreciate the Senator's co-operation. By giving my four minutes to the final three speakers, there will be 12 minutes and they might use four minutes each. Is that agreed? Agreed.

You are entitled to it.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I acknowledge the hard work the Minister does. She did not expect to be hit by this tsunami. When Covid first hit, we thought it would be over in a number of weeks. We see where we are now. I know the Minister understands that it has been a hard time for musicians. She might take the following point on board. When the stakeholders forum takes place, sometimes in that debate the smaller musicians and engineers are forgotten. That is not intentional but they get lost in the big debate. That is where we are coming fro…

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I might not even take up the two minutes. I will refer again to the entertainment industry. I have heard Senator Kyne and others speak about the seriousness of the situation. I fully appreciate and acknowledge Government support for the sector. There was also the announcement last week of €50 million for certain sectors but - this is a big "but" - approximately 3,000 musicians have virtually lost all their gigs for Christmas. They cannot get back on the pandemic unemployme…