I call the Minister of State, Deputy Troy.

I do not see Deputy Crowe.

Absolutely. We will keep an eye out for him.

I wish to establish the Government's position in relation to rapid antigen testing. It is abundantly clear, from information that was presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, that there is a role for antigen testing to play in the reopening of our economy and society and in keeping it open. I want to establish what the Government's position is in relation to rapid antigen testing. I have proposed to the Taoiseach and his office a pilot reopening of a nightclub in Ennis. I would l…

Will the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage urgently review and increase the table of maximum net income limits in social housing assessments regulations applicable to County Clare?

I thank the Minister of State very much for his reply. This is an ongoing issue, particularly in County Clare. People contact me every day of the week who are just over that maximum threshold, which is set at €25,000. There is a question of equity. There is a much higher threshold in Limerick than in Clare. This needs to be reviewed urgently. I welcome the Minister of State's confirmation that the process is ongoing. When does he expect that the review will be concluded? Is it on an individual basis? Can County Cla…

This issue has a negative impact on people and families. A constituent was in touch with me this week. Unfortunately this lady is over the income threshold. She is in receipt of the family income supplement. It is hard to understand why she would not be eligible for consideration for social housing. This has a negative impact on people's lives and ability to qualify for housing. This is urgent and I ask the Minister of State to ensure that this is brought to a conclusion at the earliest opportunity. County Clare, w…

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the director of services at Clare County Council, Anne Haugh, and all of the team in the housing section who do Trojan work for the people of County Clare. I welcome that the Minister will visit County Clare in July. There is a particular need for an affordable housing scheme to be rolled out throughout the county. I ask the Minister to reference that in his remarks.

I welcome the Bill as another step the Government is taking to give a helping hand to people who want to purchase a home for their family. It is an important part of the Government's plan to increase our housing stock by providing affordable housing. Getting on the first step is the hardest part of getting on the property ladder. Any action we can take as legislators will be welcomed by those wishing to have a home they can call their own. This Bill is only one of many more steps that are needed as part of a multif…

We now move to the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, to conclude the debate.

I call Deputy Paul Murphy, who is sharing time with Deputy Mick Barry.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important debate. The Covid pandemic has devastated the aviation industry, which was at a record high prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. In terms of passenger numbers, Shannon Airport was the second largest long-haul airport and the third largest airport overall in Ireland. Prior to Covid, it added up to €3.6 billion to Ireland's GDP and supported 43,700 jobs. The potential of the airport was not being reached prior to the pandemic and there is real concern it will str…

Following the same theme as the two previous speakers, we are at a crossroads here. It is a vital period for Irish agriculture. The medium-sized farm with good entitlement is considered by the EU to be the ideal family farm model. This model has taken the largest financial hit due to convergence. I am concerned that this family farm model was not financially supported in the previous CAP programme and it is imperative that this model is supported in the next CAP programme. This model is ideally set up to adopt and …

The Taoiseach will be aware of the situation that has developed over the weekend with Lufthansa Technik, Shannon. The company is a major employer in the mid-west, providing 500 highly-skilled jobs. The Government has invested heavily in this critical company over the last 18 months by means of the temporary wage subsidy scheme, TWSS, and the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS. The company has also benefited from the rates waiver. It is critically important that the Government and its agencies engage with this com…

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: (1) Deputy Holly Cairns - to discuss the immediate need for safe infrastructure in Kealkill, County Cork, for students to walk and cycle safely to school; (2) Deputies Paul Murphy, Richard Boyd Barrett - to discuss the planned increases in the local property tax, LPT; (3) Deputy Gary Gannon - to discuss the need for better public services to support an outdoo…

The Minister must conclude now. He will have another opportunity to respond.

I must bring in Deputy Cairns, who has two minutes.

The Minister has two minutes for his concluding statement.

On that positive note, we must conclude the debate. Deputy Cairns can follow up with the Minister on that commitment.

The Minister has ten minutes.