I would like the Leader to give consideration to organising a debate on the stimulus package announced yesterday. There will be a serious injection of capital with some €5.4 billion going into the economy to try to address the very significant fallout from Covid-19. I understand that this is the largest amount - or wall of money, as I heard one commentator refer to it today - ever injected into our economy. Additionally, more than €2 billion in loans will be guaranteed to a great extent by the State. The real objec…

Where is Roscommon?

I ask for an urgent debate on aviation policy. Shannon Airport, as the Cathaoirleach will know, is in urgent need of assistance. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has placed enormous pressure on all airports. Long before the Covid-19 crisis hit, Shannon Airport and its affiliated businesses were under significant pressure. Since separation from the DAA, the airport's performance has been abysmal. It has failed to meet all its passenger targets since long before the pandemic crisis. It is lagging behind the performance of Cor…

Through the enormous efforts and sacrifices of the people, as a society we have succeeded in controlling the spread of Covid-19. In the words of the experts, the curve has been flattened. We have seen an increase in the R number - the rate of infection - in the past couple of days. We have seen a greater number of people testing positive, but we have got to be careful in terms of our response. The blanket approach of closing everything, as done at the start, will not work again. This is all about keeping the Irish …

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I congratulate my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, whom I have known for a very long time. I know his suitability for the job at hand. It is a difficult job in the current climate. The funds set out in this proposed legislation are important for a couple of reasons. At last it seems that we are seeing some level of solidarity right across the European Union in addressing this issue. I and others have commented in this Parliament, not…

I ask the Leader to organise a debate, at the earliest possible opportunity, on the theme of restarting the economy. We are all very conscious that as we progress through the passing of the Covid-19 crisis, we need to start rebooting the economy. There are some Government supports for individuals and companies but we need to examine the criteria because some of them are not fit for purpose and do not meet the needs of some sectors of the economy, particularly the tourism sector. Much of the tourism sector depends o…

I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate, and I thank the Minister of State for being before the House. The reality is that small to medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of our economy. Many of them are struggling through no fault of their own but as a result of a decision the Government took effectively to shut down the economy in the best interest of public health. However, we have to be careful. Loans are not the way forward for the vast majority of these companies. While the measures …

I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving us an opportunity to address some important issues. I urge the leadership of the House to try to facilitate debate here on the very significant economic fallout from Covid. This issue is raising concerns in every community. In the constituency I know best, Clare, there are very many issues impacting on the lives of people, most particularly the decision by the management and the board of Shannon Airport to begin to address the Covid crisis on the shoulders of workers. Overnight …

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election and elevation to this high office. He is well overdue based on his work rate and his commitment to public service. Like others, I have been contacted by many councillors throughout the country over the last number of days and it is clear from travelling and meeting with them that the Cathaoirleach has played a very important role in cementing the relationship between the Oireachtas and local representatives in county councils. He well deserves this accolade and posit…