The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, told the Dáil last week that, out of respect for the House, he planned to publish before the summer break the regulations banning the sale of turf. We still have not seen those regulations. We are told the Cabinet has approved the new restrictions. Are we going to see them before the break? Will we have an opportunity to debate them? Have Fianna Fáil backbenchers seen them? Does the Taoiseach's party intend to support this proposition? Given his acknowledgement that the cost-of-living crisis will continue for some time, does he really believe this is an appropriate time to prevent people who have no affordable alternative from purchasing turf to heat their homes? Why does he refuse to do the one thing that is proven to reduce turf use, which is to provide households with affordable alternative sources of heating?

The Government is finalising regulations relating to measures to enhance air quality. The Deputy did not mention air quality in his presentation. Does he have any-----

I asked a question.

Deputy Carthy had 50 seconds to ask it.

I know that but the Deputy cannot be just defending the coal industry all the time because that is what goes to the-----

I asked about alternatives. Why is the Taoiseach not putting alternatives in place?

The issue in terms of these regulations is smoky coal, which is killing people. That is the big picture.

The way to resolve that is to provide people who use solid fuel with an alternative.

Let the Taoiseach respond, please.

The Deputy's party just keeps ducking and diving. He refuses to accept responsibility, which he should, as a legislator, in respect of the need to protect people. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the biggest killers in Ireland. The town of Enniscorthy had air quality measures similar to those of New Delhi in the middle of winter because of smoky coal. That is the real target of these regulations.

The Taoiseach should provide alternatives.

In respect of turf, representatives of my party and others have made very sensible ideas and suggestions and those will be reflected in the regulations in the context of the traditional turbary rights of bog owners being protected.

Thank you, Taoiseach. The time is up now.

Are they going to be published?

Yes.

Before the summer break?