You were trying to get a deal done for yourself. You were talking to everybody.

Leaving that to one side, there is no issue with us having a debate next week or the week after that. This is an ongoing issue. We will respond to the specifics of the case. In terms of Holles Street hospital, Government proposals have not come before Cabinet. There will be time for a debate on that and for me and the Minister for Health to bring clarity to the House, but it has not come before Government.

I would love a pint myself at some stage.

I would say so by the time today’s sitting is over.

People in County Clare are much more tolerant than that.

People in County Clare are much more tolerant than that. Deputy Carthy is outrageously misrepresenting the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, in terms of what he is about on behalf of the nation and Irish farmers.

Coming from Donegal, the Minister is very well aware of those who need supports and he will continue that approach.

As I said, I think we can deal with that issue when we come back. Likewise, the issues raised by Deputy Paul Murphy on the climate action Bill can be dealt with on Committee Stage. I am somewhat taken aback by the views of Deputy Shortall and Deputy Tóibín. Deputy Shortall was an advocate for zero Covid, as were many Deputies, and now they are questioning whether we should facilitate the continuation of the framework that we have had since the beginning of the pandemic, which facilitates the passing of laws, when n…

Through the Chair, I do not think it is. In response to Deputy Tóibín, by and large, the public have understood that the Oireachtas has had to take measures to protect lives and public health. There is no other agenda than that. The Government wants to open up society. The good news, in response to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae's point, is that we are opening up society. The hotels, bed and breakfasts and guest houses are opening tomorrow.

The pubs and restaurants will be opening next week. We want to continue reopening in June and in July.

I must say the Deputy’s cynicism and the cynicism of her party is beyond disgrace. They pretend to work with people for years on a project, which they did on this one, and then, at the 11th hour, they do another side turn and try to create a new agenda, a new narrative, to try to demonise those in government and demonise other parties. Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street are in the possession of the State thanks to good work by previous Governments in securing that vital property in terms of our history and the preservation…

I am fed up with this kind of cynicism. It is absolutely disgraceful cynicism. It is similar to them voting against every single housing scheme that has come before councils in recent times, opposing housing on a non-stop, consistent basis. Are they for any development at all?

The Deputy has raised a very important question. It will be extended for the last time until September and it will not be extended beyond September. No workers will lose out. A scheme is being developed which will make sure that workers get their entitlements-----

Yes. As this is unique, and it is in a pandemic environment, we want to make sure that workers are not disadvantaged and that neither are employers. It needs a bespoke approach to deal with the issue the Deputy fairly raised. It is a fair point. It has been a very difficult balance to get right throughout the pandemic. Workers have rights that have to be affirmed.

We have invested very heavily in childcare this year, and in early years, not just through budgetary provision but also through the extension of the variety of support schemes-----

-----we have allowed for in today's plan. It has been quite substantial.

We are extending the pandemic unemployment payment out to September and then gradually easing out of that into February of next year. The pandemic unemployment payment will have been in place for two years before it ceases. The overwhelming purpose of Government is to create employment opportunities for people who are unemployed or who are on the PUP. Very substantial resources are being allocated as a result of the economic recovery plan that was published today to enable people to secure employment, not just in a…

Some 315,000 workers will be supported through the extension of employment wage subsidy scheme, for example-----

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. My Department's 2021 resource efficiency action plan sets out a range of actions to improve the management of energy, water, material and waste resources within the Department and to increase sustainability awareness among staff. It also includes levels of energy and water usage and waste produced by the Department so that improvements can be tracked and measured following implementation of planned actions. The 2021 plan was developed in line with guidan…

Local authorities need to respond. I agree with Deputy Kelly on that. We are successfully reopening society and the economy. The vaccination programme is making that possible, as is the adherence of the vast majority of people to guidelines for a prolonged period of time, which has had the desired impact of suppressing the virus or keeping it at reasonable levels. The vaccination programme, in particular, has reduced ill health and mortality and kept hospitalisations at a reasonable level. The number of intensive c…