I greatly welcome the motion from the Rural Independent Group. I also welcome the Government's announcement earlier this week, but it is just an announcement. Like many announcements before it, when one drills down into the detail, there is absolutely nothing there. If we are going to get people back into rural Ireland, we need to put services in place, including banking services and post offices. Unfortunately, post offices, such as the one in Broadford in County Clare, are being closed and the Government says the…

Rural development is not just for the benefit of rural Ireland but will also alleviate pressures on our cities. We have a kind of Third World economy at the moment that is forcing people into cities. I appreciate the latitude the Ceann Comhairle has given me.

I am sure the Deputy will.

The shortage of vaccine supplies relative to the demand is well known, as are the reasons for it. I have no doubt that if the Taoiseach could source more vaccines, have vaccines manufactured in Ireland or even make vaccines himself, he would do so. Given that Dr. Mike Ryan talked about the ethical dilemma of administering vaccines to healthy young people when healthcare workers and elderly vulnerable individuals across the world need it, why are we administering them to healthy young people who have immunity and an…

The issue for the Taoiseach is not whether he respects public or private worship but is whether a Minister correctly informs the Dáil when he is bringing in legislation, which he specifically signed off on, which was not made by the Dáil but by the Minister. That is the issue. He specifically said that it was not a penal provision and that it would remain thus. Now the State is adopting a contrary position down in the courts and it is that that needs to be clarified. Going back to my initial question, the Taoiseach…

And vaccine resistance.

And vaccine resistance.

And vaccine resistance.

Hear, hear.

I wish to ask a question of the Minister of State. I know he does not have the capability to answer now. Subject to a ruling of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, who is occupied, I do not think the Minister of State can answer straight away, but I would appreciate it if he could. I would like to know what was concretely concluded with regard to the digital pass. The digital pass has the potential to be a very good thing. Equally, it has the potential to be a negative and destructive thing. Obviously, the EU is based on th…

Sorry?

I look forward to that. The concern among people is that while the Commission has framed it as something that will facilitate the free movement of people in a safe way, ultimately it will become a barrier to free movement. In particular, the Minister of State should answer in respect of sunset clauses. As I have seen two sunset clauses extended with regard to Covid restrictions in Ireland, I do not have huge confidence in them per se , or at least the Irish approach to them. For example, I do know that in Italy a q…

Yes, but it is quarantining of EU nationals and it is the second country to require EU nationals to quarantine. We were the first, in respect of Austrian nationals. The proposal in Ireland is to extend the quarantining measure to the nationals of a number of other countries. I wonder where that sits in respect of free movement. Most EU countries, if not all at this stage, are only allowing essential travel. There is no need for the Minister of State to tell me that; I understand that. However, there is a hope and e…

I wish to make one last, brief point. The free movement of people is important for attracting foreign and direct investment into Ireland, because many US-based and other international multinationals base themselves in Dublin on the basis that they can bring in young, skilled workers from across the EU. That becomes much more difficult if those young, skilled workers cannot see their families throughout the-----

I asked a question and the Minister of State offered to answer it, so I would appreciate it if we could start the questions and answers with an answer, rather than taking time to ask the same question again, particularly if the Minister of State is minded to answer it.

I noted in the pre-European Council statements that the Minister of State indicated this would be used for collecting information. Without putting words in his mouth, I understood the implication was that rather than it being for facilitating free movement. This goes to the final point made by the Minister of State when he referred to the use it can be put to. It would be a concern for people if it were to be put to a use other than that for which it was intended or ostensibly developed, which was solely to facilit…

The Greek Government has done it.

I would be very glad to avail of the offer to sit and meet to discuss those matters. We can also discuss the various strains of republicanism on these islands, both historical and current, when we meet. I thank the Minister of State.

Like previous speakers, I wish to focus on the digital green certificate. I would like to ascertain in advance of the Council meeting, and again following the meeting, what the Government's position is in that regard. It seems to me the Government is, at best, lukewarm if not outright opposed to it.

That is very good news. Currently, Irish people are criminalised for leaving the country. That is not unique in Europe, but I would expect it will be unique in Europe as the summer rolls on and plans are being put in place for people to travel safely. Last year, people in Ireland believed they were prevented from leaving the country by guidelines, but they were not. Social welfare recipients particularly were penalised. There was a restriction to the right of freedom of movement and that restriction was not pursuan…