We need a two-pronged approach to address the situation facing our airports. We need to get clarity on international travel on and off the island, and we need to put a stimulus package in place to sustain the aviation industry over time. We need to recognise that the Covid-19 pandemic will be with us for the long term and we need to plan accordingly. Too many livelihoods are at stake. A recent article in The Irish Times highlighted how the aviation sector got us out of the last recession due to its major economic c…

The final point I want to make relates to the task force report provided to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. This report stated very clearly that the State is required to intervene with our airports if we are to ensure they will be able to survive this pandemic. People are extremely worried about their livelihoods. They were perfectly fine until this pandemic came upon us. The Government must step in and provide a comprehensive plan as to how it is going to rescue this sector. It would be unacceptabl…

I welcome this Bill, which makes changes to existing company law to enable firms to adapt to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. It recognises that we are in a new normal and people should not be penalised for not meeting requirements that are simply unworkable under the current circumstances. The Bill addresses the operational issues in respect of compliance and gives breathing space to businesses with respect to examinership. It makes sense to allow the company seal and the necessary signatures to be o…

I wish a good morning to the Acting Chairman, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the other Deputies who are present. It is worth reading into the record that it is now 2.20 a.m. I thank the Minister for being in the Chamber to speak about an extremely important issue to the constituents of Cork East, whom I am elected here to represent and to me as their local Deputy and a former councillor in the Midleton and east Cork municipal district. I refer to the issue of traffic congestion on the N25 at Castlemartyr in e…

I thank the Minister for the information he has provided today to Dáil Éireann. As he stated, there is no definite project at this stage but that is something I am elected here to try to work upon and to resolve, as I have been doing in recent months. I recently met representatives of TII at its facility at the Jack Lynch tunnel to discuss this project. It is absolutely crucial that we recognise the major shortage of road infrastructure in east Cork. I will give the Minister an idea of the scale of the lack of inve…

I join the Chair in extending good wishes to the staff here, the ushers, the gardaí, the Clerk of the Dáil and all who have been involved with ensuring the Dáil has been able to run smoothly in what has been a very challenging time for many people. I thank the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, for staying here so late tonight to discuss this absolutely imperative issue. I wish everyone well in the recess ahead. It is much deserved. I look forward to seeing everyone back here in September.

This Bill is a key part of the July stimulus package. The State is investing in key projects and supporting workers and businesses on an historic scale. The size of the response underlines our commitment to protecting jobs and communities. The State will spend €87 billion in 2020 to provide more services to citizens than ever before. The stimulus package contains more than 50 measures and is worth over €5.2 billion, or €7.4 billion if the credit guarantee scheme which passed through the House last week is included.…

This Bill expands eligibility for GP care without charge on a phased basis and increases the gross medical card income limits for persons over 70 years of age, which I welcome. I will take the opportunity to congratulate the Minister on his appointment to the Cabinet. It is an extraordinarily difficult time for anyone working in the healthcare sector and I am sure he will excel in his portfolio. We are counting on him. The Bill is a welcome step towards fairer and more affordable care over the Government's lifetime…

I welcome the Bill. It is at times like this we must recognise that we have to do things differently and act responsibly and urgently to address the severe challenges our economy faces in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the right time for the State to play a key role in our economy and to work side-by-side with businesses to get through this crisis. That is why I welcome the decision of the European Commission to introduce the temporary framework for state aid which is the basis of the Bill. The Bill h…

I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on his appointment at Cabinet and to a very exciting and important portfolio, particularly in a 21st century economy. I have an interest in the transport area, having done a great deal of work on it at a local authority level alongside many fine Green Party councillors in the constituency of Cork East. Based on the Department's high-speed broadband map one can see that the Cork East area, which I represent, is in need of State intervention. In the national broadband p…

I welcome the Minister's response. According to a report in 2019 by a major phone operator, the creation of regional digital hubs could generate in the region of €312 million for the regional economy and create over 8,400 new jobs across over 1,000 new businesses. I am sure that the Minister will agree that to ensure rural towns and villages, such as those in Cork East, do not disappear there will need to be balanced regional development in the programme for Government. Key broadband infrastructure is vital in this…

I thank the Minister for answering my question. Traffic congestion is a huge issue in my constituency. I would like to see more people working from home. It is important the Government puts in place the infrastructure to make that a possibility. I again thank the Minister for his response and I look forward to working with him.

I am honoured to second the proposal that Dáil Éireann nominate Deputy Micheál Martin to the President for appointment to the office of Taoiseach. During his political career, Micheál has time and again shown himself to be a determined and brave representative of the people. He has shown great strength and resilience and has already built a record of serving the people of which anyone would be proud. It has unfortunately been too often the case that no space has been given in politics to acknowledge the strengths o…

I am honoured to second the proposal that the Dáil nominate Deputy Micheál Martin to the President for appointment to the office of Taoiseach. It is rarely the loudest or angriest voice that addresses problems. As has been said, Deputy Martin throughout his career has built a record that is second to none in this House in delivering progressive change for people. His passion for education has always been a defining feature for me. Many of the reforms he implemented have been central to opening educational opportuni…