The Minister of State did not deal with the issues I raised. Is it a good idea to knock down half a block, to take down half a house when the house next door is equally damaged but that has to stay because that is not eligible for the scheme? That house might be a holiday home. It could be a rental property, more than one or it could be that the person just cannot afford it which is the most common example that we have. Is it okay to force families to knock down half? When you talk to the builders, there is extreme…

I support Deputy Ward’s amendments, but I also wish to comment on section 8. I said on Second Stage – the Minister might have heard my contribution – that it is deeply unjust to have a deadline of 29 March. I can guess what the rationale for it was: the publication of the SCSI report. We should remember that the first scheme was discredited and replaced by a second, which I believe was also discredited. That is my opinion and I am not asking the Minister to deal with that. What happened when the first scheme transi…

I will try to follow the logic of what the Minister has said. He knows about the first scheme in 2020 and the second scheme in 2022. When the second scheme came in, the Government did not just look forward, it made sure that the early movers availed of the increased cap. So how on earth can the Minister argue differently now? In 2022 the people who came in through the original scheme were able to avail of the new caps that were introduced in 2022. There is no consistency here. There is no point in us going back and…

Under Standing Order 88(3)( b ), I propose that the vote be taken by other than electronic means.

Not agreed.

The reports into Operations Kenova and Denton expose a central role of the British state over decades in hundreds of targeted assassinations and murders of nationalists in the Six Counties. We need an urgent debate. Tomorrow there are statements on online safety, and I suggest to the Chief Whip that we have a debate on these reports tomorrow and deal with the seriousness of it, the central role of the British state and how it cannot dictate in terms of the legacy legislation and consider how it blocked co-operation…

Can I clarify what Minister of State is taking it?

Okay. I have submitted a Topical Issue tonight. Everybody knows TDs wait seven or eight weeks to get a chance to have a Topical Issue. It is a precious opportunity. I have a really important issue to raise in respect of my constituency. I walked past the Minister of State for education as I came here this evening. The Minister of State for education is not even here, never mind the actual Minister for education. I am strongly protesting this. I have a right not to take this if the actual Minister of State is not he…

I appreciate the Government Chief Whip saying that. What made me angry tonight is that I walked past the Minister of State on my way here.

I ask to defer it until tomorrow morning. Is that okay? Until we have either the Minister or Minister of State here.

Okay. I thank an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach.

I appreciate the Chief Whip's acknowledgement of my frustration. On that basis, I will just go ahead and take it now. It is no disrespect to Deputy Feighan, as he knows. I have utmost respect for him personally but I walked past the Minister of State on the way here. The rules are very clear. It is either the full Minister or the Minister of State who takes it, so it is no disrespect to Deputy Feighan. If the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach does not mind, I will restart the clock and take it now because the issue is import…

The issue tonight is St. Eunan's College in Letterkenny. I recently visited the college again at the invitation of the student council. There were these outstanding young men who took me around the school. It is not the first time I have had a tour of St. Eunan's College. I have done it a number of times over the years but I have to say, I was really shocked at the current condition of the college. There are impossible conditions for both students and teachers to work in. There is the original building from 1909 an…

I thank the Minister of State for communicating the current position of the Department and the Minister. The Minister, Deputy Naughton, is obviously new to her role. The previous Minister in this portfolio, Deputy McEntee, visited the school and, indeed, considering the seriousness of it, the Minister in this role before her, Deputy Foley, also visited the school. My understanding is that the Minister, Deputy Foley, did not get a full tour of the facilities. That is absolutely essential for any Minister. I appeal t…

You did not believe it at election time last year.

You have changed your tune since the election.

One of the biggest failures of this Government is the whole area of affordable housing. In large numbers of local authorities across the State, there is just no plan to roll out affordable housing schemes. I can speak with authority about my home county of Donegal. Again and again, I have submitted questions to the Minister and to his predecessor, Deputy O'Brien. I have appealed to them to put in place affordable housing schemes. If a family in Donegal with two adults and one child earns over €32,250, they cannot g…

Not agreed.

We have the defective block amendment legislation this evening. We have waited over a year for what was a simple amendment. It took a crazy amount of time. We only got sight of the actual published legislation at 10 a.m., which was hours before we were supposed to debate it. That is not an acceptable way to do business on such a serious matter. I also want to object about the housing statements. There is not enough time for them. I ask that they continue into next week.

Is it the housing one that is adjourned?