It is not really. If Sinn Féin wants to debate economic policy then I will do that any day but today we will debate the Bill. I come from Cork, which has got Blarney Castle on the Wild Atlantic Way and the Port of Cork, which has cruise ship liners coming into the harbour, whose passengers then spread out to the tourist attractions in the city and county. The insertion of a €75 threshold in the legislation makes no sense whatsoever. I appreciate the bona fides of the Minister of State. I listened to him in the Dáil…

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate his bona fides and that he does not want to be here either. At the heart of what he said at the end of his contribution is that this situation is not of our making. He is 100% correct about that. We are the victims of an appalling decision by the British people. What are we doing about it? The Acting Chairman spoke passionately about legislation this week and this morning many of us were doing the same. Let me make it quite clear: I have no vested interest whatsoever. Bla…

I know. In my humble opinion, we are exacerbating the situation. The Minister of State said that bringing in a new charge related to Brexit is not easy. He is right but why are we changing it? We are tying the industry's hands behind its back. The one thing I have learned in my 16 years as a public representative is to listen. I have made many mistakes but one tries to learn. People in the industry are making contact with me about this issue who have never spoken to me about tourism or hospitality previously. We ar…

I will make a further point of support on what we are trying to achieve. We are allowing for duty free to come back, which is a positive. The UK-bound traveller or the traveller bound for here can avail of duty free. As we now are incentivising at a different level again, there is inconsistency in this regard.

The Minister of State made a very good point on UK tourists. I will not vote against the Government. I have never voted against my own party in my 16 years in public life, nor will I, but I believe we must consider the import of what we are trying to do. Senator Chambers is correct. We have asked for a pause or a review. Let us take it that 2021 is to be a staycationing year again. Travel agents, airlines, airports and those in the hospitality and tourism sector are saying, notwithstanding the roll-out of the vacci…

I apologise to the Minister of State for drawing out the debate. I welcome that he is committed to a review, which is what we want and which gives me heart. I know I am not a mathematician or a genius but why are we fundamentally changing this now in 2020, going into 2021, when there is no need to change it? The change could happen if the Minister and the Government are of the disposition to make that change in 2023 or 2024, when we will have a proper indication and the world has returned to some type of normality,…

As Senator Casey has said quite eloquently, this is about the issue of the power transaction. The Minister of State has found his mojo, in fairness. His colleagues, the Ministers of State, Deputies Rabbitte and Troy, tabled parliamentary questions to the Minister on this matter when in opposition. What figures does the Minister of State or his Department have on VAT fraud? Deputy Rabbitte, now a Minister of State, asked about a consultative forum in the calendar year of 2019. Was such a forum constituted? Did it me…

Ar dtús báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Is lá iontach é inniu mar tá ollscoil nua á socrú i gCorcaigh agus i dTrá Lí. I welcome the Minister to the House and I congratulate him on is appointment. Today is an important day in the framework of the evolution of technological universities, with the dissolution of IT Tralee and of Cork IT and the creation of the Munster Technological University. Many of us remember the days of the creation of Cork Regional Technical College and then its evolution to Cork IT, and now…

We might have had our argument last week but I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for picking both Senator Warfield and me for our Commencement matter on World AIDS Day. It is about global solidarity and shared responsibility. This morning the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council praised the Government's temporary supports and stimulus package in budget 2021. Its chairperson, Sebastian Barnes, however, raised questions around the permanent spending increases. We need a debate on fiscal management and budgetary matters outside of…

Míle Buíochas, a Chathaoirligh Gníomhaigh. I welcome the Minister of State to the House today, on World AIDS Day. This is a worldwide health day with the theme of global solidarity and shared responsibility in fighting the stigma of HIV and AIDS in our country and in the world. I tabled this matter and I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing both myself and Senator Warfield to raise two different Commencement matters on World AIDS Day on sexual health strategy, which for the current five-year period is about to expi…

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and the Minister of State. It is important that we live up to our expectations around fast-track cities, that there is a combined collaborative approach and that we continue to be to the forefront in responding to HIV and AIDS. The funding of €450,000 announced last summer needs to be matched in future years. I hope that community-based testing, outreach services, public awareness campaigns and the availability of PrEP continue. They are very necessary. The elimination of stigma,…

I join Senator Gavan in paying tribute to the late Diego Maradona. I am of the generation that admired his skills and we extend our deepest sympathies. I concur wholeheartedly with Senator Craughwell's point that there is a cohort of local authority members who are being, to borrow Senator Dooley's phrase, hollowed out by Covid-19. There is an obligation on us, a Chathaoirligh. Perhaps this is something you could lead us on as Cathaoirleach of the House. Given that we are predominantly elected by the councils, mayb…

I am being very careful. I am mindful that I am not going to have a row with you now. I am being very careful.

I understand. I am being very careful in what I am saying. However, millions of euro were stolen by a person who is in jail today. The point I wish to make about the DPP, the Garda and Revenue is that if the information is correct, and we have only one side-----

I hope you understand, a Chathaoirligh, by my term and my demeanour that I am not trying to bring the House into disrepute in any shape or form.

I will conclude by saying there is a real need for the DPP, Revenue and the Garda to explain and not to hide behind saying they do not comment on individual cases. How can a person, for 20 years plus, go unchecked by the organs of the State? I am only an ordinary person, but I can imagine how those people feel and the impact it has had on their lives.

I thank the Leader for having this debate, which I requested. I am glad it is broken up into two parts. Conscious of the 2,033 people who have died and the thousands of people who have tested positive, I am mindful of the gargantuan work being undertaken in our hospitals and in community care settings by our public servants. This debate is important. Earlier this week, I was walking in the gates of Leinster House and I met a man who had Covid-19 last April, and he told me that he still to this day is affected by it…

I welcome the Minister to the House and I support this motion. As we have heard, horse and greyhound funding is controversial. I understand and appreciate the sentiments of some of my colleagues. It is important, however, to put this debate in context. Sport Ireland has allocated €85 million for sport in our country, which all of us herald, promote and support. We are announcing funding today for the greyhound and horse industry which provides jobs, support and enjoyment. Many of us have an interest in this area, a…

On a point of order, some of us are not part of a political grouping at the moment, and there does seem to be apartheid from the Chair regarding some of us.

Gabh mo leithscéal, I am entitled to make a point of order-----