I will direct my comments to Ms Fitzgerald. How will the recent surge in energy prices right across Europe, including in Ireland, affect the European Green Deal? What is the EU doing to protect ordinary citizens and households in the context of that surge in energy prices? The just transition fund in the European Union is worth €1.75 billion. Does Ms Fitzgerald believe that is enough to achieve the type of just transition we need, not just in Ireland but across the Continent?

There has been a substantial impact on international wholesale energy prices. We have seen a substantial impact on gas prices, especially in Ireland, which has had a knock-on impact on energy prices. That is clear for everybody to see. Gas prices have been rising steadily since March 2020 for a variety of international reasons. They are currently unseasonably high, which puts upward pressure on wholesale electricity prices. That is not just affecting this country but many European states across the Continent. We ha…

I deleted those couple of emails that I got straight away. When it is a copy and paste job, one cannot take it too seriously but I will focus on the rest. Two thirds of the people in intensive care units in this country are not vaccinated so what more do we need to be told about the power of vaccines? It is scientific evidence that vaccines work. This links to some points I will make about Facebook and the prevalence of Covid-19 misinformation on the platform and its groups, about which I have spoken for the past y…

Okay. We have been back and forth a bit. Before I call Senator Ward, it might be a good idea to let the Minister respond.

Amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together.

Yes.

The Senator should be allowed to make her statements without interruptions.

We have only seven more minutes.

We want to get to Report Stage for next week.

When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Today I would like to talk about the further digitisation of Irish society. Particularly in the past year and half, owing to Covid, society has become more cashless than ever before. For example, I do not even carry a wallet anymore. I have my ATM on my card. I rarely carry cash any more and it is the same for many people across the board. When I talk about the digitisation of Irish society it is about how we make it more efficient. I have not come up with exactly whom we have to ask yet and will definitely take ad…

I am seeking clarity on when the legislation for the regulation of e-scooters is to be introduced. The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, announced that it would be introduced in the autumn of this year, but it is important to have that clarified as soon as possible. In most European countries, there is a lack of regulation of e-scooters and active travel and as a result this area has become a bit like the wild west, with companies setting up in capital cities and doing whatever they want in terms of bringing in e…

I will focus on some of the climate action measures in the budget, as I did last year. Some weeks ago, I said in the House that I was worried by a report from the Department of Finance on plans to increase VRT, including on electric vehicles. I am happy to see the Government realised the importance of extending the VRT relief for electric vehicles until the end of 2023. At the time, I referred to Finland which has seen a massive uptake of electric vehicles in the space of three or four years thanks to various finan…

I did.

Senator Ahearn may continue.

I thank the Minister of State. When is it proposed to sit again?

Today I want to talk about the concept of greenways and blueways and I want to start by referencing to the Waterford greenway. We all know the Waterford greenway, which has become a destination greenway. People go to Waterford, stay there and utilise the greenway. I want to talk about how we can replicate that and create a destination greenway in County Louth. I want to give some of the context to greenways in County Louth. County Louth has been ahead of its time in developing greenways. I will not use the word “tr…

I thank the Minister of State. I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the staff of Louth County Council. In particular, I pay tribute to Mr. Pat O'Rourke as he was ahead of his time and advocated for greenways a decade ago when they were not the done thing or seemed to be quite difficult to create when one took into consideration the trouble with compulsory purchase orders, and engaging with landowners. The county council has been really good about greenways and its response has been excellent. It is goo…

I wish to talk about an issue that affects my local area and other areas across the country, that is, the severe lack of carers in the country to be able to provide home care packages. It is an issue I have been dealing with over recent months, particularly with one family. I spoke to Sinéad, the daughter of the lady for whom I have been working, and she gave me permission to mention the following story, which highlights the issue we have in providing carers. Ann Hearty was 61 years of age when, unfortunately, she …