It is the very separation in law that needed to happen.

It is not agreed. In the Taoiseach's previous contribution, he started-----

In his previous contribution, the Taoiseach cited once again what is, as far as I am concerned, a complete misunderstanding of the separation of powers. Spurious arguments are being used to prevent a debate in this House. All Members agree and understand that the appointment of judges is a function of the Government. The Government is accountable to the Legislature for its performance of its functions. It is the very separation of powers that warrants time to be put aside so that Members can ask questions of the Mi…

There was a debate in the Dáil.

While the Taoiseach was in opposition.

What was the Taoiseach's problem with the others?

The Taoiseach is avoiding the question.

There were other candidates.

So no judges should apply.

There is no issue.

Ask.

Ask.

No, it would not.

I have a simple question on the same issue, given that we are going to have to do this slice by slice for as long as it takes with regard to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice. That is fine. We will do it that way because the Government is running scared. When was the Taoiseach, as Taoiseach, informed - presumably this was before a Cabinet meeting - that Mr. Justice Woulfe would be the name to be put forward to be appointed? When was he informed by the Minister for Justice of that?

You were not Taoiseach.

As Deputy McDonald said, there have been issues relating to data security in the Department of Justice. I have spoken in the House previously on a whole load of IT issues relating to Windows 7 and the upgrade to same which has still not been sorted. Given Covid-19 and the fact that so many people are working from home, this is a pretty serious issue. In the context of data protection and judicial appointments, is the Taoiseach provided with information and details on other candidates that may be considered and if s…

Before I begin, I note that in the Taoiseach's response to the last round of questions, a number of the questions were not answered. The issue raised in this group of questions is very important and I am glad that we are discussing it. Every weekend, my daughter organises for my mother - her granny - to watch mass from Portroe on YouTube. My mum goes to mass every single day of the year and long may that continue. Mass is a huge part of her life. She is, obviously, very devout. We need to look at these matters favo…

Her name is Aoibhe.

This is a process issue with the Minister for Health but what happened yesterday with regulations going to the Cabinet and then being dismissed has happened before. This is not the first time the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has been involved. Surely we do not need to have this crazy situation in which Ireland takes off because of some half thought-out plan for health measures that is then jettisoned by the Cabinet. I want to raise two issues, both of which the Taoiseach knows are close to my heart. The first…

My party has a proud history of creating social change in this country. We are probably unlike any other party in the degree of change we have stimulated. I refer to our attitudes to divorce, abortion, the rights of the LGBTQ community, women's issues and many other areas. As a party, we are now pursuing a campaign to ensure that every child born in this country has a pathway towards citizenship. We will not stop until it is achieved. The 27th amendment to the Constitution was introduced by Fianna Fáil with the sup…