Deputies on the opposite side have been complaining about so many messages and so many people speaking. That has been a common refrain.

It is because of the pandemic, basically, if we are honest about it. The pandemic has necessitated very frequent interviews and commentary, particularly with regard to Omicron. Let us be clear. The reason there was a significant range of announcements in the past ten days was because Omicron was a big factor. Let us be honest. We had to make a call in terms of travel. The rise in cases of Delta among five- to 11-year-olds necessitated a response from public health and a Government decision on 9- to 11-year-olds and…

It will really protect people to a much greater degree than they are protected now against either Delta or Omicron. Deputy Kelly made the point that he has been raising antigen testing but he would be the first to admit that he is not a public health expert, no more than I am.

I know that and neither am I. There we go again. What I am saying is that there is a difference of opinion on antigen tests and there always has been.

The Government acts on science all the time in respect of anything we do with regard to Covid-19. The Minister for Education acted on expert advice. A working group was formed and advice was given to the Minister for Education on schools. There is expert guidance regarding workplaces which was issued in the early stages of the pandemic. Public health officials have been arguing about good ventilation from the get-go. I quoted SAGE to the Deputy earlier. It says that it may be of help but it qualifies it significant…

I do not think the Deputy is listening to me. We are not against HEPA filters. We are for them and will provide resources for them. I have said this three times today already. There are 50,000 classrooms across the country, between primary and post-primary schools. The Department and the Minister are adopting a targeted approach to address ventilation issues, which may include air cleaners, where required. We are looking here at air cleaners costing between €1,500 and €1,800, which we think are what is required for…

These will not be the domestic-standard ones some people are talking about. They must be of sufficient quality and grade. The funding is there. Funding will be provided for it.

Again, where it is necessary. It may not be necessary in every classroom. That is the point. I have just noticed-----

I am sorry but we have given unprecedented resources to hospitals, to the economy and to sector after sector.

Deputy Boyd Barrett must acknowledge that. He never has, but he should.

Yes, but-----

I thank the Deputy for his query. I noted his comments regarding the cardiac situation in Waterford, which we will continue to pursue vigorously. I am conscious another Waterford Deputy and Minister is sitting adjacent to me, who is also advocating strongly for that. I take the Deputy's point on the issue. On insurance inform, I have a lot of sympathy with the Deputy's comments on the impact of insurance costs on employment, business and enterprise. That is why it is a key priority for the Government. The action pl…

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue for people and it is part of a wider agenda within Government to reduce costs for people in their ordinary lives. Insurance is a significant cost, whether one is in a household, motoring or in a business. The Deputy was correct to point to the reduction in motor insurance. This morning, the Government again adopted a significant road safety strategy for the coming years. It is interesting when one looks at the number of people who died on our roads 20 ye…

Are we agreeing the Order of Business?

That is like a query we take after we agree. I think we can keep it under review. It is open to us to review anything at any time but the public health advice has given a timeline into mid-February, if I am not mistaken, on the wearing of masks in schools. The Chief Medical Officer will review that advice and communicate to the Government.

I do not deny that. We are in the middle of a pandemic and hopefully the childhood vaccination programme will begin in earnest early in the new year. That will have an impact. We will consult the Chief Medical Officer. I fully take on board the concerns of the Ombudsman for Children. We all have those concerns.

The Deputy will recall that at the time the contracts were signed I was standing where she now stands. We had a robust debate around broadband more generally. The memo she referenced was published at the time in The Irish Times , if I am not mistaken, and that generated a lot of debate in this House. I may have asked questions about it at the time, so intrigued was I by that memo.

I am just pointing out that what the Deputy is revealing is not new. In terms of the memo and so on, these are not new developments. In terms of broadband, the contract is signed and the Government's focus is on rolling out broadband and getting it as widely distributed across the country as we can.

That is a matter for parliamentary questions.

It is very regrettable if the developer pulled out. I do not know the background to the case. I commend anybody involved on providing housing of this type in a co-operative context. I will engage with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and ask him to talk to the Deputy.