Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator McDowell's call to provide time to do justice to Senator Norris. He is a great character. When in full flight in this House, there are none better than the Senator. He is so entertaining. I do not think this Chamber will see the likes of him again. He is unbelievable.

I compliment the Government on bringing forward an increased cost of business grant. I hope it will be brought in efficiently and will go directly to businesspeople. Many small businesses are in a lot of difficulty and going through a very difficult period. Significant extra costs have been imposed on small businesses over the last 12 months, some of which are kicking in now. Whether it the cost of an extra bank holiday, sick pay or whatever else, there are huge impositions being made on small businesses. I compliment the Government on bringing forward the increased cost of business grant. I hope the grant will not be eaten up by professionals and will go straight to the business community, whether through rates relief or in some other form the Government may decide. I hope the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, will come to the House to set out the basis on which the grant will be provided. It is very welcome and the quicker it can filter down to the business community, the better.

I support Senator Paul Daly's comments on ash dieback, which is a huge problem throughout the country. I wonder how many of the trees that fell in the recent storm did so as a result of ash dieback.