I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. I met the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, at Hillsborough Castle on 13 August. This was our first meeting since I became Taoiseach. We had a good discussion on Covid-19 and our respective experiences of managing the virus and dealing with its economic and societal impacts. We agreed that close contact on this topic should continue between our respective Administrations in the period ahead. We also discussed Northern Ireland issues and noted…

In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett's points, peace and stability come first regarding the overall impact of Brexit, and the necessity for the withdrawal treaty and the Northern Ireland protocol to be adhered to and upheld. The EU is solidly and constructively working with Ireland on this. We are part of the one negotiating team that wants to negotiate a future relationship with the UK that is sensible and that results in a free-trade agreement, which is absent of quotas and tariffs and allows businesses to continue…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on housing was established by the Government on 6 July 2020 to oversee effective implementation of the ambitious programme for Government commitments on housing and related issues. The committee last met on 30 July and is next scheduled to meet on Monday, 28 September. In addition to the meetings of the full Cabinet and of Cabinet committees, I have meetings with Ministers, including the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gove…

The legislation the Government has introduced applies until January and it protects tenants who are in difficulty because of the Covid-19 crisis in terms of income and so on. It protects them from rent increases and eviction. It is a more specific Bill than that which preceded it. The reason the blanket ban could not be continued is that, fundamentally, it was unconstitutional. We were no longer at the time and are no longer now in a lockdown situation. Dublin is not in lockdown. Level 3 is not lockdown. All sector…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 12, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on Covid-19 was re-established by the Government on 29 June to continue to assess the social and economic impacts of the potential spread of Covid-19 and oversee the cross-Government response. The committee, which I chair, meets as regularly as required and has met on five occasions since 29 June, most recently on Friday last, 18 September, to consider the latest advices from NPHET in advance of a full Cabinet meeting. The date of …

The PUP was introduced early in the life of the pandemic as a 12-week temporary scheme. In July, the new Government decided to extend it to April. The rates were reduced but they are still at levels closely approximate to what people were earning before being laid off as a result of the pandemic. This was to make it more sustainable over the long term. A total of €3.5 billion has already been allocated to the pandemic unemployment payment. The social protection bill has gone from €20 billion to €28 billion. We must…

Let me speak.

We also need to talk to the unions so that we get a comprehensive sustainable sick pay regime.

We are working towards this. In the meantime, in the context of Covid, the Covid-19 illness benefit is available at a rate of €350 per week to employees and the self-employed. That is the case.

It is paid for two weeks where a person is medically certified as self-isolating. It can be extended for a further two weeks for a maximum of ten weeks where a person is medically certified.

I ask the Deputy to stop interrupting. He disingenuously presented the Government's case wrongly.

That benefit is available for a further ten weeks if a person is medically certified as being diagnosed with Covid-19. In a minority of cases where people continue to be sick after ten weeks they can apply for the standard illness benefit payment and can receive it for up to two years. We have extended this for people living in direct provision as well. The Deputy has missed the point that we recognise the need to look at the broader issue of a sustainable sick pay regime in Ireland and, therefore, we are anxious t…

There is enough provision there for Covid.

In terms of disabilities, we have been working with service providers, many of whom are not in a position to resume fully, not because of funding but because of protocols on Covid. We will continue to work with them on the funding issue and on restoring services as quickly and safely as we possibly can.

I have not seen it.

In situations such as this, service providers will always send in figures. They are always subject to negotiation. There has been very energetic and hands-on contact between the HSE and the service providers endeavouring to get adult services, in particular, restored. This is important and it is something to which we are committed.

I express my deepest sympathies to Pat Smullen's wife, Frances, and his family. He was an iconic figure in the racing world who is deeply mourned by his family and friends. I salute his absolute courage and commitment to cancer care and in taking on what was the greatest challenge in his life. Just because Deputy McDonald says things does not mean they are true. The Deputy has a habit of deliberately distorting and undermining genuine and significant efforts in regard to dealing with Covid-19 and in her own comment…

The Deputy knows it.

The Deputy knows it.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn should calm down.