Deputy, I strongly appreciate that, and I try to accommodate everybody, but, as I said, we have several no-shows.

You are most gracious, Deputy Gould. Thank you.

I apologise to Deputy Cowen for interrupting him earlier. He may now proceed with his Topical Issue.

The Deputy must conclude.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin - to discuss the projected cost to the Government of supporting Ireland's participation in the Euro 2028 Football Championship; Deputy Gary Gannon - to discuss the need for a Dublin municipal food market; Deputy Martin Browne - to discuss the 2023 grant allocation to Tipperary County Council for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction road…

We will move on to the third matter because Deputy Pringle is not present.

Allow the Minister of State to continue without interruption.

Well done to an Teachta Ó Cuív on very interesting legislation. It is certainly one of the most interesting things I have come across in the short time I have been a Member of the House.

I am sure Steven Spielberg is taking notes somewhere for a plot for a good movie.

I raise the future of Youghal Greyhound Stadium. The Tánaiste will recall that the viability of the stadium was raised during his recent visit to the town. There is local support for the retention of this track, which is of major importance to the community. I and others have done considerable work behind the scenes. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been working diligently with me and the local track supporters' club to try to keep the stadium going. There is a lack of faith in Greyhound Racing…

Before we proceed, I want to note that it is my first time in the Chair. I believe that, in the 104 years of Dáil Éireann, I am the youngest male to do so. The youngest female was my constituency colleague, former Deputy Myra Barry. I thank the Ceann Comhairle and Members for this opportunity. I now call the Minister of State for the response.

Deputies Clarke and Funchion are sharing time.

We now move to the People Before Profit slot, but as there is no speaker present we will move on to the Government slot.

We now move on to the Regional Group. Deputies Tóibín and Berry are sharing time.

I wish to ask about the free school meals programme. Some 148,800 pupils avail of this vital programme, which is very much supported by the good work of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys. However, there are areas of the country, including in my constituency, particularly in Youghal, where students do not have access to it in secondary schools or in some of the primary schools. Is the Government going to look at the further expansion of this scheme as a further cost-of-living measure? We know the …

I refer to what has been said by my colleagues and I refer to the DUP and its ongoing opposition to progress when it comes to the Windsor Framework. Have the Department or the Minister explained to the DUP the potential damage this could do, not alone to its reputation but to the stability of the peace process in Northern Ireland? It is very unfortunate the DUP seems to be the only major power broker that is fighting this continuously. It makes no economic sense and little political sense, given the recent assembly…

We must reiterate in this House the international focus on the DUP's actions and why it needs to change its position. The President of the United States will be in Northern Ireland in less than three weeks. It is imperative that people realise, not just in the North but across the European Union, within the United Kingdom and here in Ireland, that they need to just get on with the business. This is not about the politics of the Troubles or the Good Friday Agreement in itself but about providing a viable economic fu…

I wish to ask the Government about the national car test, NCT. There is a backlog of almost 400,000 vehicles nationally as a consequence perhaps of serious mismanagement within Applus+ and also in respect of RSA oversight of the NCT. Has the Government a plan to deal with this? Is it looking at potentially terminating the contract when that window of opportunity arises to allow for a review of the system for NCT in Ireland? Many people now on the road are technically driving vehicles that do not have NCT certificat…

I ask about coastal flooding and erosion. The Minister will be aware that east Cork is a coastal region, and the Minister of State recently visited on this matter. What plans do the Departments have to procure additional funding to bolster our coastal defences? Unfortunately, due to global warning and contributing factors, there is a declining level of protection of our local coastline. I know the Minister of State is aware because he has been down to visit with me and my constituency colleague in government, Deput…

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response, particularly in regard to the items on the agenda on the day he visited. It is great that they have been followed up. Notwithstanding that information, there is a broader context to this, which is that the Minister of State needs to be funded in the work he does. All who represent coastal communities or areas with flooding issues due to rivers know those works are extraordinarily expensive. There are a couple of issues I would love to reference on the fl…