The stability programme update to which the Minister referred was published on 21 April and the central scenario provided for a projected deficit this year of €23 billion. It set out other scenarios and the severe downside scenario projected that the deficit could be €29 billion. One month on, and taking account of the extra fiscal commitments the Government has made and the up-to-date economic environment, what is the best estimate of what the deficit will be in 2020?

I thank the Minister. He and the Taoiseach met the main five retail banks on 11 May. A statement issued by the Government following that meeting indicated that business and mortgage customers would have the option of having the term of the loan extended so they do not face a rise in monthly repayments when they resume paying. The banks have not made a similar public statement, at least not that I am aware of. Was a commitment given at the meeting that in respect of the five banks, all personal and business customer…

I will share time with Deputies Cowen, Calleary and Troy. I will vacate the Chamber as soon as I have completed my remarks. I convey my deepest sympathy to all of those families who have lost loved ones due to Covid-19 and to all of those families who have lost a loved one for whatever reason and as a result of whatever cause in recent weeks. It has been an incredibly tough time for everyone. On the stability programme update published this week, it is fair to say that we have never seen a stability programme updat…

I wish to share my time with Deputies Devlin and Troy. We will be brief to allow time for the Minister to respond. I wish to quickly raise three issues. Will the Minister confirm that a stability programme update, SPU, will be published in the next two weeks, that is, by the end of April? We have had several economic assessments so far looking at different scenarios. They have included a deficit of up to €20 billion, according to the Central Bank; unemployment estimated at between 10% and 12% at year end; and contr…

Just a bit but that is okay.

I join with other colleagues in starting by conveying my deepest personal sympathy to those who have tragically lost their lives as a result of Covid-19 to date and to pay a heartfelt tribute to all of those working on the front line in our healthcare sector and in so many other vital sectors across the country at this extraordinarily difficult time; a time when we are asking the Irish people to make great sacrifices. It is difficult for so many people to do what we are asking them to do and it makes it all the mor…

I move amendment No. 59: In page 26, to delete lines 18 to 20 and substitute the following: “ “applicable period” means— (a) the period of 12 weeks commencing on 26 March 2020, and (b) such other period (if any) as may be specified by order under subsection (20);”. My amendments, Nos. 59 and 68, are linked. In essence, those amendments provide that at the end of the 12-week period, the Minister would come back to the House and the House would make a decision on the continuation, amendment or otherwise of the wage s…

Who is allowed back in and how much time is left?

Less than that.

I thank the Minister. We all appreciate that this is being done at breakneck speed. We appreciate the objective, which is laudable, and we all want to work towards its achievement, of having a wage subsidy scheme that retains employees on the books of businesses rather than going for social welfare payments. What Revenue published online tonight, as far as I can see, is 13 pages of frequently asked questions. It refers to soon to be published detailed guidelines. When will we have the detailed guidance? The questio…

I want to make several points on the section. On Second Stage, I raised section 26(8), which concerns the publication by Revenue online of the details of the employers who are going to avail of the wage subsidy scheme. I do not see the necessity for that and think it should be removed. When I looked at the Revenue's "frequently asked questions" tonight, one of the questions asked is why the details of the employers are to be published online, and the answer is that it is because it is stated in the legislation. We …

I join with others in congratulating you, a Cheann Comhairle, on your re-election as Ceann Comhairle. I thank the people of Cork South-Central for returning me to Dáil Éireann on this fourth occasion. I congratulate all the new Deputies elected and those re-elected. Like Deputy Calleary, I wish to acknowledge those who have not been re-elected, including those who have retired. Much has been said, a Cheann Comhairle. I will keep my remarks brief. From listening to some of the earlier contributions in particular, on…