Independent Ireland will support this common-sense motion but I really do not understand why the same proposal has been brought before the Dáil on so many occasions. Why can we not just rubber-stamp it once and move on? Businesses in this country need this common-sense provision at this time. The legislation we are discussing was introduced as a temporary measure but outdoor dining has become a vital part of our hospitality sector. Businesses have adapted to the model and repeated extensions only create uncertainty. It is time to stop treating this as a short-term fix and make it permanent. It would provide clarity for businesses, local authorities and An Garda Síochána, thereby ensuring consistency and stability. Independent Ireland is very strong on this. We need this measure in place without having to keep discussing it so often. It is annoying and frustrating that local authorities are charging businesses rates per seat. I realise the councils are being starved of cash by the Government but it is not fair to turn on businesses that are struggling at present. Business owners have told me Cork County Council is charging them per seat outside their door. That is a very unfair situation and it is kind of sneaky. The only bit of relief businesses got was being able to serve customers outside their door but now that is coming at a price. While we welcome the reduction of VAT on food to 9%, which will, unfortunately, not apply until next July, I must call out what can only be described as a deeply underhanded move by the Government to increase VAT on room hire for events. This measure was buried in the Finance Bill and will see that VAT rate on hiring rooms for functions in hotels and guest houses jump from 13.5% to 23% - a 70% increase - from January 2026. This is a massive hike that will hit business and communities hard. I have raised this very recently in this Chamber and I have asked for the decision to be looked at again and overturned. To put this into perspective, one Cork hotel surmised that this change will cost it €25,000 annually if it absorbs it internally. To offset it, it will need to generate €120,000 in additional revenue, which is an impossible target in the current climate. These costs will inevitably be passed onto ordinary families and community groups. Weddings, communions, charity events and local gatherings will all become more expensive for many towns and villages. Hotels are the heartbeat of community life. Pricing people------

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I have four minutes.

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I have Deputy Richard O'Donoghue's two minutes as well because he is missing. He is not able to attend. I also have my own two minutes, which gives me four.

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Okay. Maybe I have taken too much time.

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I apologise.

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I have said enough. I am talking all my life.

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