I oppose the motion put forward by the Social Democrats. The proposed increase in the Horse and Greyhound Fund is necessary, given the severe impact of Covid-19 on the horse and greyhound industries. The most recent economic assessment of the industry was undertaken by the economist Jim Power in November 2017. Mr. Power's report found that the greyhound industry delivers €302 million to the economy, with 12,371 people deriving economic benefit from it. Many families have been raised thanks to the owning, breeding a…

Having strong, progressive policies that have been developed with a ground-up approach, backed up with resources and appropriate schemes, are key ingredients in addressing the issues of rural depopulation and decline, bringing us to a place of positivity and growth in rural Ireland. The rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, offers the opportunity to rural towns and villages to realise their potential and dreams. This week the Burren Ecotourism Network in north Clare was recognised as a global leader in sus…

I rise to speak in support of this omnibus Bill, which is the result of the sad decision of Britain to withdraw from the EU. There are numerous reasons for this Bill as we have entwined much of our legislation in our partnership with the EU over the past 47 years. This Bill is made up of 21 Parts relating to matters within the remit of 11 different Ministers and it also makes provision for the Northern Ireland protocol, which protects the peace process and avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland while preserv…

I support the Finance Bill. Budget 2021 is designed to protect the lives and livelihoods of our people and to help the most vulnerable in these uncertain times by investing now in public services and infrastructure for the future well-being of our country. In my limited time, I will focus on a number of areas, including Shannon Airport, tourism and the opportunities presented through remote working. The €10 million package to assist Cork and Shannon airports is a welcome aspect of the budget. When the €5 million ea…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 29A and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - to discuss motor insurance premiums following the recent Central Bank report on rising car insurance costs; (2) Deputy Michael McNamara - to discuss the need to extend the defective concrete block scheme to County Clare; (3) Deputies Steven Matthews and Jennifer Whitmore - to discuss the timeline for a school building for Greysto…

The next speaker is Deputy Daly but I see that he is not in the Chamber. Does his party colleague, Deputy Gould, wish to take the slot, which is three and a half minutes?

The Deputy must confine his comments to the motion that is before the House.

I see that Deputy Daly has arrived in the Chamber.

Deputy Gould kept the engine ticking over for Deputy Daly.

The next slot is for Solidarity and People Before Profit but, as Deputy Bríd Smith is not here, I will proceed to the Government slot.

Does Deputy McNamara want to ask his question now?

Can the Deputy conclude?

Today's news from Ryanair that it intends to close its bases at Shannon and Cork is deeply disappointing. It is a huge blow for workers, for the airports themselves and for the mid-west and southern regions. It is a massive blow for business and for tourism connectivity. The Government has signed up to the EU traffic light system for a safe return to air travel but we must now formally adopt this policy and, more importantly, implement it in full. It is abundantly clear we need to introduce pre-departure testing an…

Our airports are economic drivers. Shannon Airport sustains 46,000 jobs, directly and indirectly. It is more than just an airport. We need to rebuild confidence in air travel, as we are doing by signing up to the EU traffic light system. We need to implement that system in full. I want to hear what the Minister has to say about introducing a testing system at Shannon Airport and our other airports because until we do that, we will not rebuild that confidence.

According to the ancient Chinese proverb, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the second best time is now. Tomorrow, the first Thursday in October, is Tetra Pak Tree Day. This Bill does not come a moment too soon. Forestry is a crop which needs to be planted and harvested in a timely manner. Our forestry industry is in crisis. The logjam in the licensing system and the appeals process is causing significant damage to the whole sector. This has dragged down the afforestation rate and put severe pressu…

I ask the Minister for her plans to increase the funding of the LEADER action group in County Clare to assist in the economic recovery of the county, and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Clare Local Development Company is an outstanding organisation. It has existed for 28 years and has managed LEADER funding in County Clare in an outstanding fashion. I pay tribute to the CEO, Doirin Graham, and her staff. As the Minister will be aware, last year, the then Minister, Deputy Ring, awarded the top ten performing local action groups an additional €5 million. Clare Local Development Company came 11th on that list. It lost out by 0.2%. We are living in a Covid world. There are many shovel-ready projects t…

I welcomed the initiative in July when the Minister enabled Clare local development companies and other companies to move funding, where there was a surplus of money in one stream, to other streams. That approach has allowed the Ennis scout hall to be developed, a project that was in jeopardy. The Minister's decision enabled Clare local development companies and others to do that and enabled that project to move ahead. We will have a 21st century building in the heart of Ennis to serve young people from the age of …

What are the details of the grants awarded in County Clare under the Covid-19 town and village renewal scheme? I ask the Minister to make a statement on the matter.

I compliment the Minister on introducing this scheme and the way she has turned it around. Her Department has managed to deliver two rounds already and I look forward to the third one. The town and village renewal scheme is excellent. It is a ground-up approach. I work with community organisations throughout County Clare and this has given them a welcome lift in these times. God knows we need it. I compliment the Minister on that. Does the Minister have plans beyond the next round to introduce a similar scheme for …