I do not intend to dwell on this issue for too long as my colleague, Senator Fitzpatrick, has expressed our party's views. I welcome the Minister of State. While we will always have issues with tenants, the Minister, the Minister of State and their Department have shown no hesitation in ensuring that tenants are looked after and are not wronged. I recognise the right of every Senator to make their views known or have reservations. However, one sometimes gets the impression from Dáil and Seanad debates that there is…

On a point of order-----

On a point of order, we did not say the Bill was flawed. I said I would seek clarification on the basis of what Senators McDowell and Martin had said. In case Senator Craughwell was referring to me, I point out I did not say the Bill was flawed.

Like Senator Davitt, I compliment Senator Higgins and her colleagues on putting a lot of work into the legislation. This is an issue that we should discuss and this is an important debate because there are several aspects of procurement that need to be thrashed out. It is obvious that the Senators have done a lot of work and research on their Bill. I believe the Minister's proposal to put this back for 12 months to facilitate further discussion or whatever is not the worst suggestion in the world because a lot of d…

On a point of order, there was an agreement that I would take three minutes.

I am grateful to the Acting Chairperson and the staff for this opportunity to speak and I will certainly abide by the time limit. I thank my colleagues Senators Crowe and Blaney for their assistance. The Minister is very welcome to the House. I sincerely thank her for all the work she has been doing, along with the Government, in a most difficult time. I want to give the message I have from people in the hotel and restaurant sector in Roscommon. We have to try, as the vaccination programme moves along, to allow an …

I started with six minutes and I am down to one and a half minutes and if I do not start now I will lose that. I thank the Minister for being here and say well done on his stewardship of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I will have to condense my speech. The purpose of a national development plan should be to make Ireland a better place for us all. Perhaps in the past we did not speak as much about communities and places of leisure but they have become crucial. Like everybody else, I want to be a bi…

As this is a Government amendment, naturally I will support it. An important point was made by Senators Bacik, Warfield, Seery Kearney and Higgins on the price of insurance. I think somebody mentioned that the childcare sector has a massive challenge with insurance at the moment. I hope the message will go out loud and clear this evening that we want to see insurance companies respond in a positive way to the childcare sector by giving it the assistance it needs. This is important legislation and these are importan…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus leis an Seanadóir Ardagh. Táim ábalta cúpla focal Gaeilge a labhairt. Is deas an rud go bhfuilimid ábalta díospóireacht a bheith againn anseo sa Teach le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge, nó b’fhéidir coicís na Gaeilge mar bhí an tseachtain seo caite san áireamh freisin. Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Aire agus leis an Aire Stáit mar tá na daoine atá anseo ábalta an Ghaeilge a labhairt go flúirseach agus is deas an rud é. Uaireanta bím ag éisteacht le Raidió na Gaeltac…

Le linn na seachtaine speisialta seo, is deas an rud é go bhfuil a lán daoine sa Teach ag baint úsáid as a gcúpla focal Gaeilge. Is cinnte go bhfuil an tseachtain seo chugainn ina páirt de Sheachtain na Gaeilge freisin. B'fhéidir gur theideal níos fearr é coicís na Gaeilge an bhliain seo chugainn. However, it is good to see everybody having the cúpla focal. I want to pay tribute to a man reared in my own county who passed away recently, Mr. Mike Burns. He was, of course, a significant broadcaster and news media man…

In the few minutes I have I will try to deal with a few quick points. Senator Wall is to be highly commended for getting this debate going. My colleague, Senator Byrne, has done a lot of work in this area and the Minister of State has a huge interest it. With the Government's plan going forward, this Bill and all of us working together, we can make this happen and make it work. We should move away from saying this is a huge problem with individuals. Senator Cassells put his finger on it. There are a number of illeg…

It is great to be able to raise this issue in the House this morning. It is nice to have one of our own Senators, Senator Hackett, here in the role of Minister of State. I know the Minister of State has a keen interest in this area. I studied horticulture in my college days so I take a keen interest in the area. In the middle of a pandemic and with so many problems out there, it is an issue people might not take much heed of. However, as the Minister of State will know, many people are affected by this horrible fun…

I thank the Minister of State for her reply and update on the 2020 scheme. The number is still small in terms of the amount of people who have sought assistance but I do accept that quite a number of them might not engage at all. I am delighted that the Minister of State mentioned the traditional making of the hurley stick from ash. I do not know what the phrase the clash of the ash will mean any more but we will have to make something about bamboo because it is now being imported from China to make hurley sticks. …

After that speech, there is no doubt that the Minister will be back in Navan.

As Senator Lombard is not present, I gave Senator Burke the extra time and did not interrupt him. Before calling the Minister, Senator Garvey has three minutes.

The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. He has been brought on a tour of the country so he will not be short of holiday destinations at home this year with all the places he can go to. I will not get involved in the debate as Acting Chairman as it would not be appropriate, but I subscribe to the comments of Senator Dolan. I hope the greenway will come as close to Ballinasloe as it can.

The Minister's time is nearly up.

I thank the Minister. I apologise to have to bring the debate to an end but with Covid-19, we must stick to the rules.

I appreciate the Minister coming to the Seanad and for all the comments. I assure the Minister that people, both urban and rural, are very happy about what is happening with greenways and their spaces to walk and cycle. We have had a very constructive debate and I thank all Members and the Minister.

I lend my support to the Senators who spoke about the staff and customers of Ulster Bank. A worrying situation is developing in banking. Senator Dooley mentioned the post office network. Credit unions, which are in every urban and rural area of the country, have also provided a tremendous service. They are seeking greater involvement in the banking system but have been prevented from doing this mainly by the Central Bank. That should also be taken into account. Before I speak about turf cutting, I fully endorse the…