I thank the Minister.

There is nothing stopping people from multiple Departments going to the same building if the broadband connection is good. Remote working is great and co-working is the key. I will finish on this point. All politics are local. Murroe is in my constituency. It is the home of Glenstal Abbey. Murroe has the Muintir na Tíre Hall, which was founded by Canon John Hayes, who promoted the idea of people working and thriving in their communities. I am not saying we are going back to that exactly, but we are going back to it…

I am pleased to contribute to this debate. The Finance Bill is always introduced after the budget and is a key component of the budgetary process. This year's budget is akin to a wartime budget. The deadly Covid virus has had a huge impact on how the economy functions and how people go about their daily lives. Its impact on businesses and on people trying to do their jobs has been immense. I want to touch on a number of key points in my contribution. As a Deputy for the Limerick City constituency, I see the issues …

I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I note the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is also present. As a Deputy who represents Limerick city, I will speak about the latest lockdown and its impact and make a number of observations which I hope will feed into Government policy. What exactly is the Government's policy on fighting Covid-19? Is it a lockdown and release approach, that is, one of containment, as we are currently pursuing, or will we have measures for living with the virus? …

On a point of order-----

I would hate-----

-----the perception to go out here that the Government Deputies are not interested in representing their constituents. I have just as much a mandate from the people of Limerick city.

With due respect, the other Deputies were given the impression that Government Deputies were not here to speak.

They were.

Can I be allowed to finish?

That is my name. Deputy Tóibín, my name is Deputy O’Donnell not the Deputy from Limerick.

I will address the Chair. Deputy Mattie McGrath made reference this morning to Government Deputies. I was here to speak. Deputy McGrath might not have been here to listen.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for being so gracious to allow me in and I thank my colleague for stepping in in my absence.

This is an issue we are all united on. I will set out what I want from the Minister. First, in terms of the Limerick and Shannon region, Shannon Airport is vital to connectivity. We accept that we are going through a pandemic. When will the Government bring in the new traffic light system that has been passed by the European Commission? We want to see that implemented in full. When will it be implemented? Second, testing is coming front and centre in terms of the way airlines and airports operate. Where do we stand…

Has the Minister sought a meeting with Ryanair and Aer Lingus? If not, when will he do so? I welcome the fact that the Minister will bring in the European traffic light system. When will it be implemented? Will the Minister be looking at providing State support for strategic routes? There is no Aer Lingus route from Shannon to Heathrow at the moment. To reiterate, has the Minister met representatives of Ryanair and Aer Lingus? If not, when will he do so? Will he put in place State supports for strategic routes?

What about strategic routes?

I specifically seek an update on the flood relief projects in Limerick city and its environs, including Coonagh, King's Island, Castleconnell, Montpelier, Annacotty village and the Mountshannon Road. The Minister of State has visited these areas and people's lives are being affected there. Houses in Coonagh were flooded and residents are now getting back into their homes. The people of King's Island are waiting on a large project to get under way. Funding has been allocated to Castleconnell village, which has been …

I thank the Minister of State for the update. I accompanied the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, on his tour of Limerick and the flood relief projects in Coonagh and King's Island that have been mentioned. He is also very familiar with Castleconnell, the Mountshannon Road, Annacotty and Montpelier, as well as the projects throughout Limerick city. I welcome that additional staff are to be appointed. I ask that the appointment of design teams be expedited, although I know the design team is already in pl…

I have been contacted by many parents and students on what plans the Government and the Department of Education and Skills have in place to ensure the written leaving certificate will proceed in 2021. It is a significant issue that is causing huge anxiety among parents. There is a general historical credibility and acceptance around the written leaving certificate. It has served us well. Can the Taoiseach give reassurance in this regard? I appreciate the difficulty with Covid-19 but what plans can be put place, the…

I contribute to tonight's debate in the context of Covid. Until such a time as a vaccine is found, we will be living in Covid world. We are seeing an increase in the rate of infection, which we will have to tackle. It is not going to be easy over the next six months or more until a vaccine is found. A number of steps should be taken in the context of the budget. One must be to maintain sectors that are coming under extreme stress from external shocks. In general, the multinational sector has come through this pande…