I wish the Minister and the Minister of State the very best in this dynamic and interesting portfolio. Sixth-year students of last year and those in first year this year have had a very traumatic time. Their families have had a traumatic time. It has not been easy on any of those in the third level sector either. There are difficulties arising from non-return of fees. Parents have been put to the pin of their collar trying to pay these fees. I have experience of this, with a first year student myself this year. I k…

I, too, would like to wish everyone a happy new year. I am in the same vein. The great proportion of problems is with the leaving certificate and in the area of special needs education. We should set aside more time for the debate on education issues with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, tomorrow.

I wish to return to the issue of St. Brigid's District Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir, which the Taoiseach and his Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and Minister of State, Deputy Butler, unceremoniously decided to close. The Taoiseach gave a point-blank refusal to meet Mr. Kieran Bourke, a councillor on Tipperary County Council, and activists like Ms Catherine Foley, who was to push a bed to Dublin today but, due to the 5 km rule, has had to desist. They want to know what is defective in the hospital. HIQA reports st…

The HSE does.

Window dressing.

I am sharing time with Deputies Michael Collins and Michael Healy-Rae. This report proves that history is a living thing, and unless we face it honestly, peace and the beginning of reconciliation will continue to evade us. I also welcome the apologies made by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister. I listened to their speeches. I also acknowledge today's apologies by the Sisters of Bon Secours and the Archbishop of Tuam and the apology yesterday from the Archbishop of Dublin. It is right well that they may ap…

I ask the Minister why he refused to seal the airports and ports. He knows from his previous meetings with our group that I, as leader, have been asking why the ports were not sealed. It is now being done from 16 January. The Minister is closing the stable door when the horse has bolted. I believe that 54,000 or 56,000 people arrived here from England over the Christmas period and none of them were asked to do anything. Now the Minister is proposing to prosecute the people and we have a mess.

I wish to raise the issue of St. Brigid's hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. It was commandeered by the last Government at the start of the last outbreak and was deemed to be fit to serve Covid step-down patients. I note that the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is present. Why was the hospital closed in the middle of a pandemic? Why did the Minister of State refuse to meet her own colleague, Councillor Kieran Bourke from Tipperary, in relation to the issue of the closure of the hospital? It is a wonderful institution, …

I wish to make a point of order.

That is not the question I asked. I said-----

Why did HIQA deem it to be suitable for step-down patients during the Covid pandemic and then decide that it was no longer suitable?

I acknowledge the Ceann Comhairle's good wishes. On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Peter Finnegan, Elaine Gunn, and the whole team here, everybody in the community, for what has been done during this difficult year and wish them well for Christmas. I also thank the Garda Síochána who are outside in all weathers minding us. It has been a trying year. There are fabulous plans and designs for Clonmel Garda station which are on public display. We have …

With the permission of the Minister and that of the House, we will allow Deputy Michael Collins in because he came into the Chamber as the Minister got to his feet. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Perhaps an Teachta Collins will get a hybrid wheelbarrow. Does the Minister want to make a brief reply or will we move on? Is there someone else wishing to contribute? Is it agreed to let Deputy O'Dowd in?

To be fair, many people missed their slots. I am in Deputies' hands.

We are still within the timeframe. I am in Deputies' hands.

Tá deich nóiméad fós. We have ten minutes within the time allocated.

I did not see the Deputy up there.

A number of Government Deputies missed their slot.

Since there is no Green Party Member in the Chamber, I invite the Minister to respond. I thank him for his forbearance.