The others can keep it going.

Who is chairing who here?

You are pre-empting him, Chair.

Chair, it was your time really.

The Minister of State is welcome. I raise the issue of podiatry care. It is a significant issue nationally and is a major issue in my part of the world down in west Cork. The level of podiatry care that is being provided by the HSE at the moment is very limited. We have had patients come to my office in the past number of years who have been waiting 18 or 19 months for appointments. We have a huge issue as to how to make sure that the cohort who need podiatry care have the opportunity to get it. We had the same Com…

I thank the Minister of State for the update. I think we are probably where we were last year. There is no major change. More than 1,100 people are on a waiting list. Unfortunately, 329 adults have been waiting for more than 12 months. It is probably that cohort who have been talking to me. That is a really significant figure. Something needs to be done about the CHO 4 area regarding where it is going with this and other issues. How will we make sure that staffing levels in this area are appropriate compared with o…

I will be guided by the Cathaoirleach. He might inform when my four minutes are up.

It is great to be here and to acknowledge the budget that has happened this afternoon. I want to comment in particular on agriculture and I note that Sinn Féin's wonderful contribution to this House never mentioned agriculture. Sinn Féin did not even acknowledge that farmers exist. I acknowledge what is after happening today on the agricultural side. The roll-over of the reliefs is important. It is a really significant issue. With Sinn Féin refusing to acknowledge agriculture as a part of the ecosystem of our socie…

I never interrupt a Corkman. The Tánaiste is more than welcome. I am delighted to have him here. It is a great honour to have a Tánaiste in the Chamber to discuss a Commencement matter. It is a rare event, so I acknowledge the Tánaiste's presence this morning. This issue of recruitment to the Naval Service is very close to the hearts of the Tánaiste and his constituents. Our Naval Service has roughly 775 personnel, with 77 in the Reserve. The issue emerged last week when we had a comprehensive, multi-agency approac…

All I can say is it is great to have the Tánaiste here. He can speak for ten minutes and he will not be interrupted.

Absolutely, I appreciate the comprehensive response by the Tánaiste. It is appropriate to the question. The Tánaiste outlined where we are going regarding the measures and what is happening on the ground. We are at the lowest level, probably since the 1970s, of ability for our ships to operate in the ocean. I realise it is a multi-agency approach. I take that on board. When does the Tánaiste think we will have an increase in the complement out at sea? I am not even asking about a full complement. We have two of our…

This afternoon I attended an interesting presentation in the audiovisual room from the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. I compliment the third level side. The accommodations made available are very helpful. Extra time and access to technology have been very helpful in third level. Unfortunately, coming down that pyramid, second and primary levels do not have the same access. We have a bizarre scenario where one gets extra time in third level for examinations but not for the leaving certificate or junior certificate…

I welcome Councillor Pip Breen and the members of various Gorey sports clubs who are in the Gallery.

Before I call Senator Kyne, I welcome the management, staff and students of Dundalk Grammar School. They are more than welcome. I believe Senator McGahon is a former student of that part of the world. They are more than welcome to this part of the world. Senator Kyne has four minutes.

I welcome the Taoiseach to the Chamber. On the theme of agriculture, it is important that the nitrates derogation is front and centre in the coming weeks and months. There is an important debate about where we will go with our dairy sector in particular. As an industry, it is worth €17.2 billion to our State, with 59 different milk plants all over Ireland. It is a driver in our rural economy and we must make sure to do our best in the long term to ensure we can keep the derogation to 250 kg N/ha in the entirety of …

Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. I was not aware of the slots.

Indeed I will knock myself out. I thank the Cathaoirleach for the clarity regarding the three-minute slots. I want to raise an issue regarding the National Transport Authority, NTA, and how it operates. It is a significant issue. The NTA is a major driver of infrastructure in the State when it comes to public transportation. There is a lack of engagement regarding decisions it makes that affect the public and how we deal with it. I bring Senators' attention again to the huge issue we have with the bus service from …

The Minister of State is more than welcome. I will first compliment the statement made by the Minister. It was a powerful statement and she brought a lot of good information to the floor the House, which is very important. She outlined in many ways where we are going with the training programme and the recruitment process happening at the moment. She also referred to the Covid issue and how it affected the potential for training of recruits during that unusual time for our society. I need to reflect on a few issues…

Could I continue without interruption? I believe the Minister mentioned there were 700 to 800-----

Between 700 and 800 new recruits will go through the college in 2023 according to the Minister. That was a significant statement. I am open to correction on that but the Minister might confirm whether she stated in the House a few minutes ago that up to 800 new recruits would go through the college in 2023, not 500, the number we just heard from a Senator.