----I will again pursue that issue with the Minister but it is my understanding that there has been considerable engagement. I will come back to the Deputy on that.

I will pursue the issue of the Bandon bypass with the Minister and come back to the Deputy with the details. Did the Minister give the Deputy any reason as to why the Innishannon project had been shelved?

I am well used to the queues.

I do not know the background to this case so it is very difficult to respond. It is my view that the service should make every effort. If a date is given for surgery, the child in question should have that surgery and every effort should be made to provide wraparound services. I do not know why that is not the case here. It should be.

I will examine the proposal and will consult with Ministers on it. We have to move in a more proactive way. I am not saying we are not doing that already; there are moves being made on adaptation in general. We have to avoid the worst consequences of climate change through the actions we take but increasingly, we have to look at the adaptation side of the issue as well and take more proactive measures to prevent damage to communities, towns, villages, coastal areas and so on. We can see what is happening with the f…

There is no shortage and no challenge or difficulty in accessing alcohol in the country. If we did nothing, there would be no issue accessing alcohol.

What the Minister for Justice brought forward, and what the Government is supporting, is legislation for how we regulate that, identify venues and locations, and the conditions and the framework around that. Some organisations in the hospitality sector are welcoming this. Others may not. Regarding the points the Deputy made, I presume he is talking about the extinguishing of licences. Again, there are conditions attached to that.

It is not a full extinguishing. In terms of a new licence-----

-----the existing system inhibits a person in rural Ireland, for example, who may want to provide a service from having that option.

I think the Deputy is being a bit overdramatic-----

-----in his description of the legislation that has been brought forward.

It will not impact on me to any great extent.

There might be some younger members of the Cabinet who could avail of the 6 a.m. closing time but I do not think I will be among them.

I think I will get more green tea now.

I think there are more. I take the Deputy's point. I do not think the existing Derelict Sites Act has been effective. That is why the Government is moving to add measures and instruments to deal with dereliction. The urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, has been very effective in respect of dereliction in our cities and our major towns but it is going to take time for it to feed through. The equivalent rural fund will do likewise. The combination of those with the Croí Cónaithe fund will do far more than …

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. It is an important issue. I cannot say anything here but I will talk to the Minister for Finance about it and examine the proposal the Deputy has made in respect of a deferral. We are going through very difficult time with the energy crisis, and business and industry is as well. It has been deferred already but I will examine it. I will talk to my Cabinet colleagues, and particularly the Minister for Finance, about the point the Deputy has made.

I thank the Deputy for raising this. Work is under way on progressing this commitment in the Department of Social Protection. Consideration is being given to the development of a new working age payment. The Minister for Social Protection will be in a position to provide more detail as this project develops. It is a very significant project and requires detailed analysis. Options are being examined to modify or merge existing supports by utilising Revenue's real-time earning data to adjust payment levels in line wi…

First, I pay tribute to the retained fire service generally. I saw it at first hand with the retained fire service units in Donegal who behaved in a most courageous and challenging way in the recent Creeslough accident and tragedy. I have spoken to the Minister in relation to the broader system, with a preliminary discussion in terms of the broader system. That will take some time but it is an issue we do have to examine.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I will talk to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, about this. I would be an advocate for joining CERN. Obviously, there are competing priorities within the Department but I believe it would be advantageous to the country, particularly given our need and our desire to be at the forefront of research and development in technology and innovation. I will certainly pursue the matter with the relevant Ministers in respe…

Given the work programme, it is my understanding from the Whip that it is a matter for the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform in respect of the facilitation of the legislation at this stage. That is my understanding. I will come back to the Deputy with a more comprehensive note.