Vol. 1008 Thursday, No. 3 3 June 2021 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Ceisteanna - Questions 286 03/06/2021A00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 286 03/06/2021A01100Departmental Reviews 287 03/06/2021B00300Workplace Relations Commission 289 03/06/2021B01200Job Losses 292 03/06/2021C00600Employment Rights 294 03/06/2021D00300Covid-19 Pandemic Supports 295 03/06/2021D01100Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions 297 03/06/2021D01200Health and Safety 297 03/06/2021E00550Digital Hubs ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������299 03/06/2021F00400EU Meetings 301 03/06/2021G00300Trade Agreements 303 03/06/2021G01300Flexible Work Practices 305 03/06/2021H00550Industrial Development 308 03/06/2021J00250Flexible Work Practices 309 03/06/2021J01150Company Law 310 03/06/2021K00300Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 313 03/06/2021K00400Inquiry into the Death of Mr Shane O’Farrell 313 03/06/2021K01200Departmental Reviews 315 03/06/2021L00600Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions 316 03/06/2021L00650Crime Prevention 316 03/06/2021M00300Public Inquiries 318 03/06/2021M01300Domestic Violence 320 03/06/2021N00900An Garda Síochána 322 03/06/2021O00400Naturalisation Applications 323 03/06/2021O01200Citizenship Applications 325 03/06/2021P00800International Protection 328 03/06/2021Q00700An Garda Síochána 330 03/06/2021R00900An Garda Síochána 333 03/06/2021S00550An Garda Síochána 335 03/06/2021T00275Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions 337 03/06/2021W01050Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation 346 03/06/2021Z01200Acquisition of Development Land (Assessment of Compensation) Bill 2021: First Stage 354 03/06/2021EE00100Mental Health During and Post Covid-19: Statements 356 03/06/2021PP00700Traveller Accommodation: Statements 381 03/06/2021AAA00100Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage 403 03/06/2021MMM00650Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters 425 03/06/2021MMM00725Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate 426 03/06/2021MMM00750 03/06/2021NNN00450 Maritime Jurisdiction ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������426 Road Safety 429 03/06/2021OOO00550School Library Grant ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������432 03/06/2021QQQ00250Housing Provision 434 03/06/2021RRR01400Estimates for Public Services 2021: Messages from Select Committees 438 03/06/2021RRR01600An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta) 2020: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príob- háideacha] 438 03/06/2021RRR01700Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] 438 DÁIL ÉIREANN Déardaoin, 3 Meitheamh 2021 Thursday, 3 June 2021 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 9 am Paidir. Prayer. 03/06/2021A00100Ceisteanna - Questions 03/06/2021A00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 03/06/2021A00300An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: We are beginning with questions to the Minister for Enter- prise, Trade and Employment Is the Minister of State, Deputy English, taking the questions or is it the Minister, Deputy Varadkar? 03/06/2021A00400Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Damien English): The Tánaiste was hoping to join us, but he does not happen to be here If you wish to take Question No. 3 first, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I could take it, if that is agree- able to Deputies? 03/06/2021A00500Deputy Louise O’Reilly: Is Question No 3 mine? 03/06/2021A00600Deputy Damien English: Yes 03/06/2021A00700An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Is Deputy O’Reilly happy to proceed? 03/06/2021A00800Deputy Louise O’Reilly: Yes, indeed I am I am very agreeable to that 03/06/2021A00900An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Is Deputy Ó Ríordáin happy to proceed? 03/06/2021A01000Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Yes, I am happy to proceed 287 Dáil Éireann 03/06/2021A01100Departmental Reviews 03/06/2021A012003 Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Em- ployment his views on the establishment of a task force to examine the future of retail in Ire- land [29942/21] 03/06/2021A01300Deputy Louise O’Reilly: As ever, my questions are very straightforward and very simple and require very simple answers Mandate recently launched a campaign along with the ICTU on the future of retail It is extremely important that we do not give up on retail and that we ensure that we save as many retail jobs as possible That would be good for town centres, city centres and most importantly, very good for jobs 03/06/2021A01400Deputy Damien English: I thank Deputy O’Reilly for this question and for agreeing to take Question No. 3 first. The retail area is a sector with high importance for the Department. That is the reason we ensured in the programme for Government that we have a Minister whose re- sponsibility would include the area of retail to build on the success of the retail forum in recent years. The past year has been a very difficult one for must businesses, including those in the Irish retail sector. The impact of both the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit have posed significant challenges for businesses and it is vital that businesses continue to develop their resilience in the face of these and future challenges I thank businesses and their customers for their continued support of the national effort throughout the unprecedented public health crisis Many in the retail sector are on the front line, but they still managed to provide an excellent service throughout the pandemic and to reach their customers in many different ways all over the country. That was handled extremely well, in conjunction with employees, employers and their customers following all the protocols and playing their part to suppress the virus As the largest private sector employer, and a key element in providing for the needs of society and indeed other sectors of the economy, it is vital that retail continues to develop ca- pability and remains competitive It is important that there is a strong, diverse, and balanced retail business presence across the country which sustains the local and domestic economy and contributes to the export economy, both online and offline. A long-term goal for the overall retail sector prior to the pandemic was to scale up online offerings to complement physical outlets, but to make sure that we can develop the two This goal has been accelerated due to the pandemic, and I want to see the digital development of the sector continue My Department has provided specific funding though the Covid-19 online retail scheme and the trading online voucher scheme to assist the retail sector in its efforts. For many retailers, developing their digital capability and enhancing their physical retail of- fering with a strong online presence will support them to become more resilient and to be able to continue with that opportunity in the future The Department is determined to support that ambition and assist