From our previous conversations, the Minister knows the stories I have relayed to her from businesses in Kildare and Laois, as well as my dealings with the Irish SME Association, Chambers Ireland, County Kildare Chamber and others regarding the challenges that businesses face right now. The Minister has talked about a reboot phase during which we get business back up and running, and the roadmap for businesses will be critical. A next stage of supports for businesses is required. What can businesses do now? Many bu…

That is correct. I commend the Minister and his officials on their ongoing work. I want to raise the concerns of nursing homes in the Kildare and Laois area. I have raised some of their concerns with the Minister directly. He is aware that they are under huge pressure. The staff are doing great work and showing great dedication in difficult times. From having spoken to nursing home owners and managers in my constituency, I know their main issues are financial and staffing support, and recognition for their staff. T…

I will share my time with Deputy Peter Burke and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee. The Minister is well aware of the challenges facing farming and the agricultural sector throughout this Covid-19 crisis. Never before has there been such a focus on the importance of food security. It is important that the general population does not take our top quality food production for granted. There is a financial strain on farmers, as there is on all sectors of business. Successive Fine Gael Governments looked to agricult…

The Acting Chairman should not break the habit of a lifetime just because I am starting. I congratulate my constituency colleague, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the Ceann Comhairle, his wife Mary Clare, and their extended family. It is an honour for him to be re-elected by the Members as Speaker of the House. It is a privilege for us in Kildare South, even if it means that we are going back to being a three-seater again for the next general election. I thank the people of the constituency for returning me to Dáil Éirean…