In any comments that I make publicly, particularly on the work I do within the eurozone, I have to be conscious of and respect the independence that the European Central Bank has in these matters and I have to recognise that, for decisions that it makes that are significant for all of the economies in Europe, it is independent and it has to make those decisions independent of public and political influence. More broadly, what I want to see is budgetary and monetary policy continuing to operate in an integrated way.…

The only person or party talking about a stick and Irish farming is Deputy Doherty and Sinn Féin. I have made clear, as has the Government, that we want to co-operate and engage with our farming communities because we know they are central to the change that has to be made. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, is well aware of the concerns that our farming community have about Mercosur and the impact the deal might have on the viability and future of the farming community. He will …

I thank the Deputy for raising a very important matter. This is an issue that the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, is working on in order to respond to the issues the Deputy and other Deputies have raised in the House. Of course we are aware of the difficulties that exist with the release of licences for forestry. This year alone, 3,045 licences have been granted as opposed to 2,592 in all of 2020. We have, therefore, seen an increase in the number of licences being granted. The volume of timber that is now lice…

The spiking of drinks is a heinous and awful crime. I am very much aware of the threats of violence and intimidation that are caused by those engaged in it. My message to all who fall victim to that appalling criminal practice is to please have trust in our hospitals and gardaí to come forward because the issue will be treated with the seriousness that it absolutely demands. On what the Government is doing in response, one of the many reasons An Garda Síochána will have funding of over €2 billion next year is to re…

I am really aware of the importance of our screening programmes and the vital role they play in the detection and treatment of diseases that can be life-altering and life-threatening. This is the reason, in the aftermath of the darkest periods of Covid, that the Government was so determined to try to get our screening programmes operational again and to encourage all who have concerns to attend and respond to the invitations for screening and check-ups. Given the seriousness of this matter, I will not do it a disse…

I understand that at the start of the year, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, made changes to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 with the aim of providing certainty and clarity regarding the process for those looking to set up solar and wind farm projects. The Department is aware of the issue the Deputy raised and is examining it. It will seek legal advice to see if any further changes to legislation are needed to ensure we get the balance right between clar…

It is in recognition of the importance of SNAs and the difference they can make in our primary classrooms to young girls and boys that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, and the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, put in place a substantial plan to allow the recruitment of many additional SNAs next year. A plan was put in place to lead to the recruitment of many hundreds of additional SNAs in 2022 in order that we will be in a position to ensure the educational needs of our yo…

The Government has brought forward a national plan-----

-----of additional money for the Department and Minister for Education-----

-----in recognition of the fact that children all over our country need these additional SNAs.

It is unlike the Tánaiste not to get back to a Deputy and I will certainly raise that matter with him. The Government and the Minister, Deputy Harris, are very aware of the important role of SUSI and how it helps many families deal with the growing cost of further and higher education. It is the reason the Minister made the first significant changes in the SUSI eligibility criteria for many years. He did so in recognition of the importance of the scheme to which the Deputy referred. I will speak to the Tánaiste's o…

I have had the opportunity to visit the Doolin Coast Guard station. I vividly remember its location, how close it is to the sea and the services and how important it is to maintaining the safety of all those who depend on it. I was not aware of the closure to which the Deputy referred and the serious issues he raised but the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, is now aware of them, as I am sure she already was. We will ensure the Minister or Minister of State comes back to the Deputy with an update and a response t…

This the reason the Government is today publishing the climate action plan outlining the plans we have to deliver, over time, our energy supply and security through a greater use of renewables. It is why we want, over the lifetime of this plan, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and then phase out that reliance entirely. It is why we are committed to the kind of changes needed in the use of public transport and, in a careful and responsive way, working with all parts of the country and economy to bring about th…

I am very confident the mayoral position that will be created in Limerick will be one that is meaningful and capable of making a difference to those who are represented by it. As the Deputy said, it had to be delayed due to the pandemic. I cannot give him an update on when the creation of the office will take place but I will find out for him and get back to him on it.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know that as he raises it, uppermost in his thoughts are Lauren, her family and her health and well-being. However, it is because every case raised in relation to a drug like this is so sensitive and has such an impact on the family raising it and the health of a loved one that the decisions on it are made at a clinical level and by our health experts, as opposed to by any Minister or politician. Recognition of the importance of the supply of new drugs is the reason the …

I understand the Minister of State is in a position to give a more detailed answer to this matter.

I am not aware of any legislative change that is currently planned on this matter. I cannot imagine that it would be needed. I will have to ask the Minister for Health to come back to the Deputy directly.

I know this is a very important matter. The Minister for Justice has informed me she aims to have this Bill published very shortly and is hopeful of getting co-operation from the House to ensure its passage. Deputy McEntee will deal with it. The Bill will be published very shortly. In fact, I have just been informed it is due to begin its passage in the Seanad next week, which means it will be published imminently.

It is very timely to raise this matter, given the publication later today of the climate action plan. On the EU efficiency labelling needed for household appliances, as the Deputy will know, many of these changes came into effect on 1 March this year, which laid out the energy impact of those appliances. I understand that under the European Commission's second circular economy action plan, it is looking at dealing with a whole variety of issues relating to carbon footprints. The aim is that the regulations on, for …

We have to be guided by our scientists and public health experts in the use of antigen testing. It is being used in many workplaces throughout the country, but my understanding is the only circumstances in which it is being more broadly used is in the context of someone having had a PCR test, having been vaccinated or having a concern but no symptoms. At that point, antigen testing is being allowed in some circumstances. It is a matter for the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, to advise us on whether it…