I thank the Deputy and the Minister of State. I was recently in Bantry with Deputy Michael Collins and saw the devastation that has been caused.

I too am concerned about the way the Minister is talking about supporting jobs and industry. The music and entertainment industry, the buses, taxis, hackneys, limousines, those aged over 66, the dance teachers and travel agents have all been left behind completely. This is doing nothing for them. The Government gave stimulus money to the banks, which will not loan the money out. Small business owners and entrepreneurs who have a part-time job to support their enterprise have been left behind. They are unable to cla…

We too in the Rural Independent Group have significant concerns. The lack of clarity is astounding. Today's announcement brought no further clarity. The regulations were changed last Thursday week when the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020 was debated, voted on and passed by the House. The regulations were supposed to run out last Sunday night, but I do not know whether that happened. The Taoiseach could not tell me that when I spoke to him. We do not know where we are. Why can the Taoiseac…

The Taoiseach is damn good at it himself.

Yes.

That was to do with a different matter.

That is not true.

As the Ceann Comhairle knows, the Independent Group has consistently opposed sittings in the Convention Centre and has asked that we would come back here to Leinster House when it is safe to do so, with a view to examining the possibility of having 1 m social distancing. I have nothing against the Convention Centre and I compliment the staff here and in the Convention Centre for looking after us. As the Ceann Comhairle is aware, we also put forward a position paper which we have discussed. I thank him, and Charles …

I remain confused, along with many other people across the country, by the new living with Covid-19 plan. I welcome the announcement that spectators are to be allowed to return to the games and matches that are part of our culture. Up to 50 patrons or spectators are allowed at indoor sporting events but dancing classes, rince scoile, and other artistic events are restricted to six people. Dancing classes often take place in GAA centres across the country. Are we saying that for sport we can have 50 spectators but f…

I am not cherry picking.

The Fine Gael Party has something against the Army. It destroyed a wonderful tradition in Clonmel, County Tipperary. For generations - for centuries - there was an Army barracks in Clonmel, but Fine Gael just wiped it away, as it did with many other things. I will fast-forward to Fine Gael's current treatment of the Defence Forces. I note that it will have received the reports on the Defence Forces by now. We have seen another programme for Government with a promise to establish an independent commission. The Minis…

I too am opposed to the motion, on the same basis. I have asked consistently that we go back to Leinster House. We have the medical advice from NPHET but we have to accept the WHO's advice that a distance of 1 m is acceptable. Many of our hospitals operate with that distance. Our schools have been back for ten days. Many are using small prefabs, and many have 13 classrooms. Many businesspeople, the meat factories and many other types of organisations are operating according to the advice to which I refer. I thank t…

I too congratulate the Minister of State and wish her all the best in her very challenging and important role, which concerns disabilities of all kinds. We pay lip service to the disability sector and breach UN conventions regularly but we do not seem to care. Covid has had a shocking impact on the capacity of those with profound disabilities, from young children right up to the elderly, to avail of services. I wish to refer to two cases in this regard, one concerning a young person, a constituent's daughter. She r…

In view of what the Minister said, I wish to ask about the situation regarding students returning, college fees being demanded upfront and the students not getting refunds. There is also the fact that there is limited broadband in rural areas. Will the Minister talk to the Minister with responsibility for housing about the huge difficulties with accommodation?

In the first instance, I thank the staff in SUSI. They are doing an enormous job and they are under great pressure this year. They have got on top of their game in the last number of years and they do excellent work. I also welcome the leaving certificate results. Everybody involved with that, including the Minister, Deputy Foley, all the staff, families, students and schools, worked together and put their shoulders to the wheel. It was a good outcome. Covid-19 has changed the issues in the third level sector and t…

I appeal to the Minister to work with the Minister with responsibility for housing, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, because while there are many good providers, both public and private, there are also rogue operators who make enormous demands of students. Then there is peer pressure, with students worrying that they do not have a place. The scramble for accommodation every year is unbelievable. I was contacted by a woman in Tipperary whose daughter attended grind school. She worked very hard and achieved a good result in h…

Serial objectors.

I move: “That Dáil Éireann resolves that the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 326 of 2020) be and are hereby annulled.” An bhfuil an tAire réidh?

Ar an gcéad dul síos, I want to say that we in the Rural Independent Group have supported each and every measure we have been asked to take, as have the people throughout Ireland. They have put their shoulder to the wheel and accepted anything that was put to them in the hope of defeating and destroying the virus and of flattening the curve. We succeeded in that. As parliamentarians, we did the same thing every time we were asked but we have now gone too far. A lot of nonsense has grown into it. I appeal for common…

Yes. I am almost finished. I am calling on those Members to pony up, not go out and tell their constituents one thing and then come in here and vote differently. I am calling on them to come in here and walk through the lobbies with us this evening. Let us revoke these measures and have a debate on new measures that will help-----