Táim ag roinnt mo chuid ama ach ní chím an Teachta eile sa Teach faoi láthair. In common with Deputies who have already spoken and probably those who will speak afterwards, I acknowledge the difficulty gone through by this year's leaving certificate cohort as well as the impact that the pandemic has had on young people's lives, not just in terms of their education, but also their wider lives - matches, part-time jobs, relationships and everything else that goes with that time of life. The leaving certificate has be…

I have always considered myself a European. From early on, it was part of my self-definition. I was an Irish citizen first and foremost and within that, there are local and tribal loyalties like the address lines on an envelope marking townland, parish, county but in the wider frame, I am a European, a member of the European Economic Community as it was and, now, of the European Union. I have been a beneficiary of the four freedoms in a Europe without borders, particularly the right of free movement of people. I ha…

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the next weekly division time.

I will begin with a short history of climate in numbers. When I was born, the carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere was 333 parts per million, ppm, which is above pre-industrial levels but consistent with a relatively constant global temperature. When I went to college, the figure stood at 360 ppm. On the day of my wedding, the concentration was 385 ppm. When my first child was born, the reading was 393 ppm. Today, the CO2 concentration measure at Mauna Loa Observatory stands at 411 ppm. The composition of our p…

I corresponded with the Minister as far back as 19 January and I have raised it with him personally since then. The decision made by his Department to designate five additional ports for Britain and Northern Ireland-registered vessel landings for both illegal, unregulated and unreported, or IUU, and North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, NEAFC, purposes, while omitting Dunmore East, means that, in effect, there is no designated port to serve UK-registered boats anywhere between Castletownbere and Howth, as my co…

I thank the Minister for coming in to take this question. I also welcome the fact that he is going to meet with us on 11 May. That is very welcome. As I understand it, the staff and infrastructure are there. I do not see this as involving any great additional cost. Deputy Shanahan has outlined the additional travel time involved in travelling in from, for example, the Smalls and the increased carbon emissions involved in doing so. It is a matter of cost efficiency. Fishers are already operating on very small margin…

I would appreciate if the Deputy could keep to his time. I am hoping to get two more questions in.

The Minster might reply to the Deputy in writing. That brings Oral Questions to an end for this evening.

The Select Committee on Health has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimates for public services for the year ending 31 December 2021: Vote 38.

I add my voice to those who welcomed the recent publication of the White Paper to end direct provision and to establish a new international protection support service, a move long overdue and widely anticipated by people who have lived, and still live, in the direct provision system. Ending direct provision was one of the major priorities for the Green Party when we negotiated the programme for Government last year. I am proud to see significant and meaningful progress on it less than one year on. I am not just tal…

As Deputy Ó Snodaigh is not in the Chamber, I will move on to Deputy Carthy.

Is that agreed?

I thank the Deputy and call Deputy Duncan Smith.

The Minister should be allowed to speak without interruption.

The Minister has the floor.

I am informed that is not a point of order. Can the Minister arrange-----

I am informed that is not a point of order. It is a matter for each individual Minister. I will ask-----

-----the Minister. Minister, will you undertake to furnish Deputies with a copy of the speech in due course?

I would ask the Deputies-----

If Deputies wish to know the content of the speech I suggest they resume their seats and allow the Minister to continue his speech.