I thank the Minister. As users of Facebook will know, their memories often come up on the platform and, funnily enough, it was four years ago yesterday that the Dáil unanimously passed a motion I brought forward with regard to the pay and conditions of those working in the early years sector. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and some others who were here at the time will probably remember that. It would be good to see progress on this issue all these years later. Obviously, the workers were waiting for this …

I reiterate that it is important to address the issue of pay and conditions in the early years sector. It is one of the most difficult jobs. One entrusts one's children to excellent people and I often wonder what their trick or skill is to get children to do certain tasks that I, as a parent, struggle to get my kids to do. It is an invaluable role. They do not want to hear sympathetic talk. One shows how somebody is valued in his or her wages. Having worked in a trade union, I believe one can offer claps and say "W…

This is quite similar to the previous question. Some of the points have probably been raised. The question relates to the survey on the childcare sector that is being compiled by Pobal. When will that be published? Is there an update?

A number of reviews are ongoing. When does the Minister expect that this will filter down to the sector? A lot seems to be due at the end of this year. Does he imagine some of this will be implemented early next year? In the context of this and the previous question, the workforce in the sector is primarily made up of women. Time and time again, we see that sectors dominated by women have inferior terms and conditions and lower wages. Pobal launched its annual early years sector profile. It seemed to find that chil…

I hope there will be something in the budget because I noticed that the early years childcare sector was very much forgotten in last year's budget, particularly those who work in it. I would welcome moves to include it. I do not think anyone expects all this to be done overnight or in one go but if the Minister wants the trust of the sector, he has to show he is doing something. It would be welcome to have some moves in this budget. The fees are so high in many areas, probably particularly in Dublin, but everywhere…

That concludes questions to the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

We move now to questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The first question is in the name of Deputy Brady, who has 30 seconds to introduce it.

The Minister will have additional minutes following supplementary questions. I ask people to please keep to their times.

I must go back to Deputy Gino Kenny.

Yes, we can give additional time.

Do any of the Deputies want to come back in?

Did Deputy Crowe want to come back in?

I thank my colleagues, Deputies O'Reilly and Kerrane, for bringing forward this important motion. As other speakers have mentioned, increasing the pension age was a significant issue on the doorsteps in the last general election. I did not hear anyone disagree with our proposal at any of the meetings or debates I attended, so I do not think there will be any difficulty with everyone supporting the motion before the House this evening. As a society, we should be striving to ensure that if people want to retire at 65…

I am sorry, but we are out of time for this section of business.

We are moving on to statements and questions and answers on the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, negotiations. I call the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue. The Minister has 20 minutes.

I apologise to the Minister but there is another speaker to come in during this time slot.

We must move on to Deputy Tully.

I call Deputy Tully.

I am sorry, Deputy, we are out of time. We must move on to the other speakers. I remind everybody asking questions in their slots to allow time for the answers. We must move on now to the Labour Party and Deputy Sherlock.

The Deputy has six and a half minutes.