I agree with the points made. Extra time must be provided to allow some discussion of the behaviour of a number of leading lights in the area of banking and financial institutions. In particular, I am thinking of what has been unearthed in Davy. It is one thing to impose a fine of €4 million but what we really need to see is the people concerned in this kind of criminal activity being brought to book. It is important that we hear the implications for them and I hope those implications will be severe.

Given the appalling behaviour of some of our banks and stockbrokers over the past week or so, we really need more time to deal with this discussion. It is not acceptable that our time is cut so short. There needs to be a huge amount more consideration, examination and questioning of these matters. Most people have been saying to themselves over the past few days, "Here we go again." We have had a clear demonstration that there is one law for our financial institutions and another law for everybody else. People feel…

On a point of order, I posed six questions and I did so briefly. With respect, I believe the Minister has an obligation to answer those six questions.

I understood that Deputies would be called in the order of the amendments they have submitted under this grouping.

Is that not the convention?

I rise to speak to this group of amendments and, in particular, amendments Nos. 33, 36 and 38 in my name, on behalf of the Social Democrats. All Opposition parties are represented in the context of this group of amendments because we are very much on the same page and have the same opinion on what needs to be done in order to increase our firepower in responding to Covid. It is quite clear that the Government is not serious about this matter at all. It is going through the motions. Yesterday, I referred to what is …

The failure to address the issue of travel and the consequent importation of various strains of Covid into this country have been among the biggest failings of this Government. This absolutely baffles people and has made a major contribution to the low mood of the public generally, particularly since the Christmas period. We are all feeling that and hearing it from our constituents. It is clear from listening to people in the media, meeting or speaking to friends on the phone and speaking to neighbours that the moo…

I welcome this Bill. The Social Democrats are happy to support it. It is timely that it has come before us. I commend Deputy Pearse Doherty on producing the Bill, which deals with one of the very important aspects of the scandal that is our insurance industry. While it is just one aspect, it is a very important one. It underlines that there has been a huge amount of foot-dragging in regard to the glaring need for reform in the insurance industry, one that has been long-identified, with many promises made to do some…

In an interview in last Sunday's The Sunday Times , the Taoiseach said that, "The government will introduce retrospective contact tracing of Covid cases for the first time once daily case numbers fall to manageable numbers". He went on to say that he believed that, "a robust approach to tracking the infection pathways of each case of Covid-19 backwards from the point of diagnosis [...] will help to suppress the [virus]". It is quite extraordinary that it is only talking about that approach at this point. Some 12 mo…

It is disappointing for the Taoiseach to portray this as engagement that began in January. This has been recommended for 15 years. Three major reports have recommended it. Since last summer, various Government spokespersons have been saying that we are nearly there and nearly reaching a conclusion. The Taoiseach drove public health doctors to the point of threatening strike action in January because of his failure to respond to this need and to actually take action on it. That strike action was called off at the la…

For a long time now, there has not been an opportunity to have any debate on the Government response to Covid. The Government announced its response this week and it is talking about another version of the living with Covid plan, but it has not allowed any debate in the Dáil on the Government response. That is just not acceptable. When one combines that with the fact that there has not been any engagement with the Opposition since last November in terms of briefings, there is just no communication going on here at …

Tell us the dates.

Everybody appreciates the significant logistical challenges involved in the vaccine roll-out programme. It is important to have transparency and for the Minister to share as much information as possible. Obviously, it is subject to change and that is fully appreciated. It is good to receive the daily figures for the number of vaccines given. The other side of that is obviously the plan we have for the vaccines that have arrived in the country. People appreciate that is subject to change. However, the Minister shoul…

With all due respect, I asked how many residents and staff in nursing homes have yet to receive their first dose-----

-----and what the estimated date is for completing the second dose.

What is the number?

I thank the Minister of State.

Does that include teenagers?

The Minister had suggested that 16- to 18-year-olds-----

Will the Minister clarify that?