I am sharing time with Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick. No one could say anything other than that this Bill is welcome, but there are some concerns I wish to raise in order that we might ensure the success of its implementation for all concerned. The Bill provides for free GP care for under 13s on a phased basis. I would like to add a note of caution on its introduction date, phasing in and the balance of availability of services. The issue of availability of GP services is one of grave concern, particularly in Wexford. E…

Rosslare Europort is acknowledged as Ireland's most strategic port. It was made a border inspection post second only to Dublin because of this. However, no Government has applied for it to have tier 1 status so that it can access financial supports from the EU for infrastructural development in line with its strategic position. The programme for Government of 2016, under the heading about attracting jobs and investment and TEN-T funding, states: "In the first three months the new Government will apply to the Europe…

On the Taoiseach's comments about ownership, it is not an obstacle to something like applying for tier 1 status. Given that applying for tier 1 status for Rosslare was in the 2016 programme for Government, I think it should be re-entered into the current programme for Government. I remind the Taoiseach that Foynes did not meet the requirements either. It was intimated that it was more to do with the Minister for Finance at the time coming from the same county. I appreciate the Taoiseach's comments about the free zo…

I will not harangue the Tánaiste. He has been asked a lot of questions on the hospitality and drinks sector, and I appreciate that he has an understanding of it. What I will say is that for the Government to show it understands the hammer blow that has been delivered, it should support the sector's employees and enterprises, some of which have now been closed for over 16 weeks. I ask the Tánaiste to confirm that as part of the July stimulus legislation, which will be brought before the House before the recess, the …

Seeing as Deputy Boyd Barrett nearly gave us €5 billion extra there, I thought I might be a bit shorter myself.

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Jack Chambers. He is probably the youngest Minister of State in the Government. I hope he does well. Is he not the youngest? There you go. I will not ask who is, but I congratulate him and hope it works out well for him. I welcome the Bill as it stands, and the Regional Group certainly will support it. I get very concerned, though, when I look at Covid from day to day, everything that is happening, whether we go up or down and the increasing numbers. I really worry about…

I congratulate the Minister on retaining his portfolio and gaining another. We have worked well together in the past and I wish him the best of luck in the future. Dealing with Brexit will be an arduous task. I also congratulate Deputy Brophy on his appointment as Minister of State and wish him all the best. I have a very large family spread throughout the world and I hope he will not have to engage with any of them. I appreciate the increase in the Revised Estimates, not least where it pertains to Covid-19. I than…

I congratulate the Tánaiste. It is all in a day's work to go from being Taoiseach to Tánaiste so we will get on with the business of the day. The pandemic has seen many SMEs close their doors for four months now. We hear daily about businesses across the country which have existed for decades, including family businesses, that are not reopening. Many of these businesses have struggled on since the last recession and closure as a result of the pandemic has simply been the final nail in the coffin for them. They have…

Deputy Verona Murphy-----

-----of the Regional Independent Group as opposed to party.

Not at all. I congratulate the Minister on his job, which I am sure he is looking forward to doing. He certainly has the necessary ability and insight, which he displayed as spokesperson over the past number of years. I wish him well and I hope we will work well together. There are some issues that need addressing, particularly in Wexford, and I will get straight to them. The Minister has heard from other Deputies that, unfortunately, mental health services are in crisis, a situation that is being reported as a tsu…

There is no excuse for domestic violence, and while it is women who are in the main the victims of such abuse, men may also be victims, and we should not forget that. The Domestic Violence Act 2018 has some welcome provisions. For example, section 29 allows a court to recommend that a perpetrator of domestic violence engage with certain services, such as a programme for perpetrators of domestic violence, addiction services, counselling or psychotherapy services, and financial planning. These are essential services,…

I thank the Minister. Will he respond to my question about services being readily available and if they will be provided to those of limited means free of charge?

I appreciate that. That assistance is not only provided for the perpetrator. It is an essential service for victims of abusive domestic violence and their children and families. Many of the organisations involved in this area, of which there are not enough, depend on charity to provide these services. As we know, one of the big travesties of the Covid-19 crisis is that none of these organisations has been able to raise funds. This will put pressure on these services which, in turn, could result in a judge deciding …

I thank the Minister on behalf of the people of Wexford for the funds received last week for local historic buildings and for her continued commitment to the Wexford Opera Festival, particularly this year in light of Covid. It will not be going ahead as normal but it will have a more streamlined approach to see it through to next year when, hopefully, we will be back to normal. Planning permission in rural Ireland today requires 180 m of clear vision either side of the proposed entrance to a new house. This is what…

I am aware of that.

The Minister said she has no discretion. Does she accept it is unsafe for a cyclist or a pedestrian in rural Ireland with overgrown hedges and that it is a road safety issue?

It is quite obvious that is not happening and that is what I am trying to emphasise. The Minister should use her own sense of reason and sensibility in order that the legislation allows for an extension either side so that it may be undertaken in real time and completed. I thank the Minister.

I have a question for the Minister of State that will require a one-syllable answer. The issue of minimum density at the edge of town and greenfield sites has caused significant problems outside of the M50 concerning the supply of housing. The imposition of such densities necessitates the construction of apartments at locations where they are just not viable. The application of these densities by An Bord Pleanála is unlawful and it undermines the statutory standing of every county development plan, as no specific m…

The clock is running.