Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the day the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, said we will not meet our 2013 to 2020 emissions reduction targets, I would like to support my colleagues, Senators Chambers, Blaney and Dooley, in calling for people whose homes are affected by pyrite or mica to be able claim Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants. It is ridiculous to think they should take out the windows and doors of their houses that may be ten, 15 or 20 year old and hold on to them. There appears to be some shift in Government policy on this issue, which I welcome. I support my colleagues on this issue.

The Government launched a programme to research the potential and impact of a four-day working week. I welcome the fact we could move at some sage to a four-day working week. I ask that the Government include in that report the way provisions such as the two weeks’ sick pay, the two weeks’ redundancy payment made by employers and the living wage in context of a four-day working week would affect the country in terms of the economy, inflation and the cost of living. The Government should investigate those issues in the programme launched today. I would like the Leader to bring that request to the Government's attention.