Am I being interrupted?

No. I-----

Deputy Tóibín is right, in that I voted last night. He knows from his time as a party member that, when we are whipped to vote in a particular way, we have to do so or we can start up-----

I am speaking as a backbencher. I tabled this matter before last night's vote. I want to put on the record what I believe.

The majority of Deputies, including most members of the Government to whom I have spoken, believe that this should be the case.

All healthcare staff, including student nurses, have given their all during this period.

I am glad we live in a democracy where the moans and groans I hear from the left are-----

There were some undemocratic interruptions. The point I wanted to make-----

I am entitled to free speech as an elected Member, just like every other Deputy. As a Government backbencher, every effort must be made to find the extra funding that is needed to reward these workers in a special way for the sacrifices they have made.

The Minister of State has iterated the importance of the registration process and the importance of the independence of the board. I acknowledge that and everybody acknowledges that. On the request made to me to put this before the Houses, which I did yesterday and which has been taken today, I am fulfilling my commitment to speak in support of this motion. I welcome the fact that progress is being made and, in particular, the comments today by the Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar, when he said that, in fact, negotiations…

This Finance Bill is about the measures introduced in the budget and the sections we are discussing now deal with help and support for businesses. There have been very significant investments made by the Government and the taxpayer to make sure that businesses that have been affected by Covid-19 will continue to operate, notwithstanding the fact that there are very serious trading conditions for a significant number of them. It is all very well to have a go at employers and say they are not being fair to their work…

I welcome the debate and congratulate Deputy McNamara, on his performance as Chairman of the committee, his fairness and the way he dealt with the issues. I also pay tribute to all those families who have lost loved ones in nursing homes or outside them to Covid-19. The Irish Times today published the pictures of 100 people who are deceased. Some of those families have contacted me. It is a deeply difficult moment for them and we have to acknowledge that. I acknowledge the fantastic work that nurses and home care a…

I welcome this debate and the Minister's commitment to the town of Drogheda, personally and politically, in the context of the crime wave which struck our town in the not too distant past and resulted in the appalling and barbaric murder of Keane Mulready-Woods and, unfortunately, some other appalling crimes. I welcome the appointment by the Minister of Mr. Vivian Geiran to carry out an important and in-depth analysis of what needs to change in Drogheda and many other communities which suffer greatly as a result of…

I welcome the Minister to this debate. I would agree with most of what I have heard. I particularly agree with my colleague, Deputy Richmond, when he spoke about the future being us working together, working with the British notwithstanding what will happen now. We all agree absolutely - we are ad idem - that Brexit is a disaster for everybody, and especially for people on our island, North and South. What we need to work on is the relationship that will continue, North and South and east and west. As chairperson o…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an díospóireacht seo. Ní raibh go leor ama againn, i ndáiríre, nuair a bhí an buiséad ann chun labhairt faoi. Tugadh dhá nóiméad domsa ar 9 p.m. oíche Dhéardaoin. Tá sé an-sásúil, má tá an t-am againn, go bhfuil an deis ag gnáth Bhaill na Dála labhairt ar feadh deich nóiméad, más mian leo, ar rudaí tábhachtacha cosúil leis an mbuiséad agus leis an mBille seo. This is a very important debate. The Bill gives effect to the budget, which governs how the State will be financed an…

He actually came to meet me-----

He did, in County Louth. He was very nice. It might upset the Deputy but it is very nice to have a Vice President visit one's county and community.

I just wanted to inform Deputy Murphy. I know that things like that upset him, but I think it is great. Also, for the record, Mr. Biden has had a very important relationship with Irish America. My brother, who is part of the Irish-American business community in New York, is very proud to have been associated with him as well as Bill Clinton and others. The reason I raise this is that our corporation tax policy sustains the American investment in this country, with something like 155,000 people directly employed day…

I welcome the Minister and the fact that we are debating this issue in a democratic Parliament. Deputies have the right to criticise, but they also have the right to praise. A significant amount of good work has been done, notwithstanding the criticisms all Members have of failings that are apparent in the system, particularly in respect of primary schools. Two primary schools in my area had positive tests last weekend. Up to yesterday evening, one of the schools, in which three young children tested positive, had …

I do not think that is a point of order. The fact is that the Deputy stated she is against the penalties in the Bill. I referred to one of those penalties. Is she for it or against it? She has not answered that question. Does she support the Garda in its action on Grafton Street? I support it.