I thank the Minister of State for being here to discuss what Senator Chambers has described as probably the most important issue for the west of Ireland. Connacht is often the Cinderella province. The most vital infrastructure in Connacht and the wider north west is Ireland West Airport. As Senator Chambers has outlined, it is vital we get as much Government support as we can for the airport. It is without question in crisis. I understand the Taoiseach is today meeting some of the staff from Knock Airport. I unders…

I welcome what the Minister of State has said but, as Senator Chambers rightly said, we need special supports. Not alone will the people of Mayo not stand for this, the people of Roscommon are adamant that this airport must survive and be supported by the Government, as are the people of Leitrim, Sligo and Galway. It should be remembered that Galway lost its airport. It is vital that we support totally Ireland West Airport Knock.

I welcome the Minister, who is here to debate what must be described as a critical issue. I feel a little bit inferior sometimes in a debate like this because I listen to such eminent lawyers as Senators McDowell, Bacik, Ward and Martin. It is fascinating to watch them go through this piece by piece. Some salient and important points have been made on both sides of the argument. I do not even like the words "enforcement powers" any more than I favour the guillotining of debates on Bills, and I have said this before…

I had to rush up the stairs as well but I have had a little more time to recover than Senator Pauline O'Reilly. The Leader heard from my colleague Senator Aisling Dolan about the horrible possibility of a dump or waste transfer station being located in the town of Ballinasloe. The people there have fought this previously. They thought they had won and I warned them at the time of the possibility of it happening again. I endorse what Senator Dolan said. This is a major issue for a town of 7,000 people, where this st…

Like other Senators, I welcome this motion on biodiversity. I am delighted to see the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. Between the Mayo and Offaly connection and her love of land, she is the best person we could have as Minister of State with responsibility for this issue. I will work with her. I could reiterate much of what has been said. Regardless of what side we come from, there is a recognition that we have to deal with this issue, but we must do so in a fair manner. That is evident from today's discussion.…

There is one Senator's opinion that I always take into account and that I always enjoy listening to. I would prefer not to be rushing through legislation. When I listen to Senator McDowell, whom Senator Dooley and others referred to as a very eminent legal person, on aspects of this Bill, I take his comments seriously and I do not rubbish them. His point is very well made. I would much prefer if we were in more normal times and could give plenty of time to debates. I am not a fan of rushing through or guillotining …

We are hearing every side of the Covid debate today. It is with great sadness I rise to tell the House of a story that is breaking online in the Roscommon Herald in recent hours. A nursing home in the Roscommon-Galway border - I will not mention it or the people involved but the names are here - has been left in a state of absolute emergency after the majority of staff and 26 of the 28 residents tested positive for the coronavirus. The director has been in tears. She tested positive herself. She has no symptoms but…

I remind Senators that both motions will be debated together and decided separately.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Mary Butler. She has the floor and there is no time limit.

Before I move on, I noticed Senator Keogan was looking at me sternly when I called the last speaker. She can check the list at any time. I do not change around the names of speakers. While she might feel frustrated, that is the rota. I call Senator Keogan.

I owe Senator Higgins an apology because she should have spoken prior to Senator Boyhan as she represents the Civil Engagement group. The mistake was my fault and I apologise.

The final speaker is Senator Rónán Mullen and he has six minutes.

I want to express my disappointment that Members of the Oireachtas and the Law Library have not tried to keep to the rules and regulations. We might not like some of them but we all have a responsibility to do what we are supposed to do. Within the next 24 or 48 hours, football teams from all over this country will engage in matches. That is a grave mistake. I understand how people feel and the point made by my party colleague, Senator Cassells, about the well-being of people who are looking forward to seeing those…

I cannot leave out Cavan, I know lots of people there. Can I remind everybody of what Dr. Tony Holohan, a man who we all respect even though we might not always fully agree with him, said yesterday evening. He said that the virus is out of control in the Twenty-six Counties. He is a medical man, whether we like what he says or not, and it is outrageous and unacceptable that we could not ask the GAA and the Government to ensure those matches are postponed for a couple of weeks. I am not talking about abandoning them…

I thank Senator Boyhan. I believe I can speak for every Member in the Chamber in saying that the last 20 minutes have been very touching. Incidentally, some Members have not indicated that they wish to speak on this. Will they indicate if they wish to do so and I will note their names? I call Senator Ruane.

Senator McDowell wants to make a clarification. I ask him to be brief.

The Senator will have an opportunity to respond later. Senator McDowell sought to make a clarification and, in my view, he was entitled to do so. Senator Higgins will have an opportunity to contribute later.

I extend céad míle fáilte to the Minister. He has been in the Oireachtas since 2007 and since I came into the Oireachtas in 2016 until now, the Minister always gave time to people in our party to discuss the issues we wanted to discuss with him. In this budget, we see many of those policies, though not all of them as it is not possible to put everything in at the same time. We see them clearly in the budget despite the difficulties we are in. I wish to rebut the arguments that have gone on over the past 24 hours or…

I thank Senator Gavan for a very thought-provoking contribution.

The Minister of State is anxious to speak but she is rushing to a Cabinet meeting. With Members' permission, I will allow her to speak once the Government amendment has been moved. She has a particular interest in airports, specifically Ireland West Airport Knock and Shannon Airport.