I begin by expressing my gratitude to our local media, including radio, newspaper and other correspondents. Communities in rural Ireland, isolated areas and everywhere else depend on these media, especially during this difficult period. Information over the airwaves from Tipp FM and Tipperary Mid West Radio are a lifeline to many. I hope they and the local newspapers will receive adequate support from people as well as from the Government because businesses do not have additional income to give them at the moment. …

I sympathise with all the families and people who have lost loved ones in these precarious and very difficult circumstances. I am, however, growing very frustrated. I am privileged to be the leader of our group to attend regular two-hour briefings with the HSE. They are an absolute waste and an insult to the intelligence of the Deputies sitting there and the officials. We had one yesterday evening which was a joke with no answers whatsoever. I compliment the new Kildare Deputy for his insight into what is happening…

I am frustrated, like Deputy Denis Naughten. We ask lots of questions in question time but we are not getting the answers. As for the briefings, the one yesterday evening was a total waste of time. When can we expect smear test cancer services and other essential health tests to resume? Having arranged additional capacity for Covid-19 care in the private hospitals, are the Minister and his Department putting together plans to resume operations in them? There are ideological issues coming up about treating all patie…

If the Minister does not have time to respond, I ask that she send a written reply.

Of course we can and we do that all the time. It has already been said that small businesses are the backbone of rural Ireland, and indeed, all of Ireland. That includes clothes shops. I walked down Grafton Street this evening and saw big trading outlets open. Why are small shops, particularly in the clothes sector, told to close yet the big supermarkets can sell clothes? It is unfair competition. As my daughters tell me, the different seasons are running past and the stock which the shops hold are out of date and …

Members will be aware, as the Ceann Comhairle is, that I have a grá for Irish culture and arts and I set-dance every so often. The impact the restrictions continue to have on this sector is frightening. While health and economic impacts are obvious, the reality of the situation extends way beyond and affects social and mental health and engagement between our Irish artists and culture. I noted in her opening statement the Minister stated that 14,000 people in the cultural sector have applied for the pandemic unempl…

I too thank the Taoiseach for his briefing following the recent European Council meeting which was held by way of video conference. I note the Taoiseach has left the Chamber but I am sure my remarks will be relayed to him. At the previous post-European Council meeting debate on Thursday, 5 March, to which I contributed, there were very serious issues emerging. We did not know then how devastating and serious the pandemic would be. At the time the Taoiseach stated in the House that he had set out Ireland's position …

Is the Government's opinion the same as it was after the February meeting of the European Council when the Taoiseach said that Ireland was in a position to be a net contributor to the MFF over the next seven years and would pay more? In view of where we are with this devastating pandemic and the lack of solidarity from Europe, is that still the Government's position?

I am happy to speak on the tourism sector. I welcome the Minister of State's frank comments and replies, and his understanding. I want to mention at the outset a wonderful, proud Tipperary woman, Nora de Buitléir, who was laid to rest in An tAonach, maidin inniu. She was a powerful woman of song and history. She regaled us mainly in Brú Ború, in Cashel, but also all over Ireland, in this House at the Culture Night events, and all over the world with the Brú Ború tour. Nora was a font of wisdom and a wonderful woman…

If not, we can get a written response. I welcome that the Minister has come to the House despite the fact that she lost her seat in the election. I wish her well in the future. There are serious concerns among self-employed owner-managers of childcare facilities who have been forced onto the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment while all their staff are receiving the wage subsidy scheme aimed at the retention of staff, which is good. These owner-managers are still working with parents, supporting the staff and ca…

In relation to today’s business, it is proposed that, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the only business to be taken shall be the business as set out in the first revised Report of the Business Committee dated 15 April 2020, with no Questions on Promised Legislation. Item No. 4, statements on Covid-19, including questions and answers to the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Finance, shall conclude within four hours and 55 minutes. The first round shall consist of statements by the …

I intend to share time with Deputy Carol Nolan. Ar an gcéad dul síos I offer my deepest sympathy to all 444 people who have died, to their families and to healthcare workers in Kilkenny. The most trying and testing work of all is the work of the front-line staff who go to work day in, day out. I want to be associated with the remarks on, and congratulations to, my fellow county man, Deputy Alan Kelly, on assuming leadership of the Labour Party. I wish Deputy Brendan Howlin all the best. He always worked well with u…

You have no questions now; you are together.

Concerning our troops serving in south Lebanon, has there been a decision to delay their return? If so, why? Is it absolutely necessary? What arrangements have been put in place for their families at home? Some of their partners and spouses work in front-line services. They now cannot go to work because they were expecting their partners home. Are there any arrangements for that? It is very worrying and, as they give us a great service, they should be supported. Several business people in my county have offered the…

Can the Minister confirm his Department's position on how people with long-term disabilities and the elderly will be dealt with should intensive care unit resources have to be rationed? The Minister has referred to this already. Will the Department amend the ethical framework for decision-making in a pandemic to specifically refer to people with disabilities and the elderly? I am sure the Minister is concerned, as we all are, about the number of fatalities in nursing homes. I also want to ask the Minister about a s…

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an gCeann Comhairle agus le gach Comhalta as an obair stairiúil a rinne siad. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for recalling us today and for convening our meeting of the Business Committee this morning. These are pretty strange and difficult times. I acknowledge the Taoiseach's address and the work he, the Minister, Deputy Harris, Dr. Tony Holohan and others are doing, and all their supporters, staff and advisers, as well as all public servants, both indoors and outdoors, who…

I thank the Minister for filling in for the Minister for Health with regard to this section. At the outset, I want to gabháil comhghairdeas le gach éinne who are working so hard in front-line services along with our medics. We see Dr. Tony Holohan every night along with the Minister for Health, the Taoiseach and everybody, including all the group leaders. As leaders, we get support from our individual Members. A lot of stuff has happened and changed and a lot of legislation is changing here without proper scrutiny …

I have a number of questions for the Minister. Are there any supports or payments for those who have no choice but to stay at home because they do not have a childminder and are forced to use their holiday pay to cover themselves? Can we offer them a payment or family leave on compassionate grounds or whatever? Are there any supports for at-risk people who are still at work but who would prefer to self-isolate and leave their jobs in the interests of their health and safety and the health and safety of their famili…

I thank the Minister of State and his staff for their briefings and the support they have given us during this pandemic. I wish them all well in their endeavours and I echo the support for the front-line staff. I reiterate what Deputy Naughten stated earlier about the behaviour of certain people, which I had referred to in my opening contribution. Such behaviour is shocking and should not be tolerated. If the law needs to be expanded, we should do that when we sit again next week, although we should have considered…

I too am thankful to the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, for the help that has been given to us. I also thank the Taoiseach who has been in charge of the Defence Forces for the briefings he has given us. My first thoughts today are with our officers who are serving abroad in various parts of the world in a noble cause, that is, peacekeeping duties, who are unable to get home. The possibility of getting home will be greatly diminished. Many of them are due to come home to their families and loved ones in the near f…