I will do my best and bring the strong case made by the Deputy to Irish Water.

I thank Deputy Hourigan for raising this matter as it gives me an opportunity to highlight the importance of active models of travel and the public realm now more than ever in the light of what we know about the Covid-19 pandemic. It is vital to ensure that timely and appropriate measures are put in place to support public health advice and best practice in response to the pandemic, including social or physical distancing. On 22 June, my Department, working in collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism…

Thank you for your good wishes, a Cheann Comhairle. This gives me a key opportunity to highlight these issues and to show that this funding is available. I thank Deputy Hourigan for raising the matter and bringing it to our attention. There is a funding stream within the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport from which the Covid mobility framework can be drawn down. Essentially, the current mobility funding is approximately €700 million for 2020, so there is a substantial fund available. I encourage all 31 loc…

I thank Deputies for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion. To clarify, I understand that the Minister will write to the Minister for Health, not to NPHET, regarding the extension of the moratorium.

That is why I said "to clarify". As the Minister stated, the Government is providing an array of supports for citizens during this difficult period, which we intend to keep under review. The Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS, continues to help anyone experiencing problems with budgeting and debt during the Covid-19 pandemic. MABS, under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, provides assistance to people, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments, who are over-indebted and n…

I wish to raise with the Minister the issue of St. Brigid’s school in Mullingar and the students who have missed a large portion of the year now, many having special needs and various different issues to deal with in their own environment. Of those students who are reaching 18 years of age, could they potentially have a place in their school next year? Some of the students have been unable to get the grounding for the early leavers' programme. This would be very beneficial to them. I asked the Minister a parliament…

I am sharing time with Deputies Higgins and Feighan. I thank the Minister of State for taking questions. I wish to ask about Columb Barracks, which has also been raised by other colleagues. I want to give the Minister of State time to respond regarding the 24-acre site that was closed several years ago when a number of barracks in the midlands were closed. The Land Development Agency, which does not have legislative power as yet, has drawn up a design proposal for a number of houses and uploaded a video in connecti…

I would like to bring to the Minister's attention a project in Multyfarnham which, under the town and village scheme, was awarded €100,000. I was working with Councillor Emily Wallace and Councillor Frank McDermott regarding revising the project. The local authority has asked the Department for an extension to April 2021 because several environmental studies will have to be carried out to revise the project. We met with residents and discussed the different issues and because the project requires the bridge to be n…

I move: That, until further notice in the 33rd Dáil, and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, or the Orders of the Dáil of 7th or 21st May, 2020, in relation to Questions under Standing Order 50(2)— ( a ) such Questions shall, with immediate effect, be replied to on the sixth day following their receipt, not reckoning a public holiday, and ( b ) with effect from 10th June, 2020, such Questions put down to the Minister for Health and received by the Clerk of the Dáil from any one member in a week shall not b…

The first report of the just transition by Kieran Mulvey is trying to devise new jobs in the energy sector in Longford and Westmeath. The impact of the company closure on those families who have worked for generations in Bord na Móna cannot be underestimated. I was with the Minister last year in the Lough Ree power station. There we saw first hand the impact the closures were having. I welcome the just transition report. Future Governments need to continue to resource it to ensure we can diversify. I also welcome t…

I move: That, notwithstanding the Order of the Dáil of 7th May, 2020, and until further notice in the 33rd Dáil, on or after 27th May, 2020, the number of Questions under Standing Order 50(2) for answer by the Minister for Health which may be received by the Clerk of the Dáil from a member shall not exceed six in any one week.

I am raising the issue of interest rates in our banking sector. A person who has an average mortgage of €200,000 at 3.25% would have paid approximately €2,500 in interest over the period of the pandemic. People are concerned that our interest rates are distorted compared with the eurozone and that banks are passing this on to customers. This week I was speaking to an individual who is self-employed. He has 4.75% on his variable rate mortgage. He is self-employed so it is not the case that he can go and switch his m…

First, I welcome the plan issued by the Minister and the Government to reopen our economy in a sustainable manner, as well as the supports the Minister recently issued on foot of the Cabinet meeting. The warehousing of tax liabilities and the supports through the local enterprise offices are very welcome, as they are important for the smaller businesses which make up a large proportion of our economy. In her opening statement, the Minister mentioned that it was not necessary for businesses to receive official autho…

This issue was discussed at the Business Committee and has been in gestation for a while. It is very important to point out to Members that no current parliamentary record exists to link the Guerin report with the O'Higgins commission or the Supreme Court decision. It is important that, as Members of the House, we do not deny natural justice to any former Member. In this instance, it is very clear that the only mechanism we have is to withdraw the report from the Oireachtas Library by means of a motion from the Hou…

I thank the Minister and am grateful for the opportunity to speak. It is important that we continue to work through this crisis in supporting the farming sector, including the beef sector, which has been under pressure for the past number of months. One of the issues raised with me is that farmers have a small window for improving their infrastructure, for example, with sheds, and drawing down finance do so. The planning laws have been extended by 40 days. Some farmers are encountering difficulties with routine pla…

I thank the Minister for his ongoing engagement and transparency on the leaving certificate. It is very complex and he is operating in a fast moving situation regarding the pandemic. It is important that he engaged in the way he has with the peers and leaving certificate students through the various fora. I have a question about the €116 payment for the first-time leaving certificate in view of the uncertainty surrounding the leaving certificate and parents and families being under significant pressure due to loss …

In relation to today's business, it is proposed that, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the only business to be taken shall be the business as set out in the Report of the Business Committee dated 31 March 2020, with no Questions on Promised Legislation; No. 4, statements on Covid-19 – health, shall conclude within one hour and 45 minutes and shall be confined to a single round, with the statement of a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for parties and groups or a Member nominated i…

It is proposed, notwithstanding the order of the Dáil of this day, that the proceedings on Second Stage of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after six hours and any division demanded on the conclusion of Second Stage shall be taken immediately. Speeches on Second Stage shall be in the following order and shall not exceed the following times: Taoiseach and leaders - ten minutes each; Minister for Finance - five minutes fo…

In relation to today's business it is proposed that: (1) Notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the only business to be taken today shall be as set out in the first revised report of the Business Committee, dated 3 March 2020, and there shall be no questions on promised legislation; (2) The Dáil shall sit later than 8.03 p.m. and shall adjourn if there are no further speakers offering on statements on coronavirus, Covid-19, or at 8.30 p.m., whichever is the earlier; (3) No. 4, motion re establishment of Stand…