I move amendment No. 36: In page 23, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “(d) the conferral of such additional functions on the elected council for the effective and sustainable operation of Limerick City and County Council,”.

Can we have another minute?

I wish to speak to section 6. I tabled an amendment to this section, which I understand is out of order, but I wish to speak to the-----

It is on section 6, in respect of the moneys received by or on behalf of the State by way of repayment and so on.

Okay. Apologies. The same issue arises in section 6 but I will address it in section 15.

I will speak to the issue in this section. This section looks to how funds may be utilised as they are received by the State in repayment, as outlined. In this Bill, a large amount of money is rightly directed towards supporting investment in and the reconstruction and re-establishment of Ukraine. It is appropriate that we would look at that wider context of the support that Ireland contributes, both individually and with others in the European Union, towards others who have been impacted and devastated by the impa…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is good that there has been responsible engagement on the part of the Government with UNRWA and that there are no plans to diminish the support. The amendment had sought to identify other sources of funding to supplement what Ireland is currently giving to UNRWA because, if it is the case-----

Of course. I thank the Minister of State. We can come back to this in another context. Nevertheless, it is important for Ireland to make plans to look at how we can not just continue our funding but increase it if international humanitarian responsibility requires that should a gap arise during these crucial months.

I move amendment No. 2: In page 14, line 25, to delete “Dáil Éireann” and substitute “both Houses of the Oireachtas”. Amendments Nos. 2 and 4 seek to address an issue with the Bill in that, as drafted, it would provide that the reporting on the functioning of these funds need be laid before only Dáil Éireann and not before both Houses of the Oireachtas. Why is Seanad Éireann excluded from having such reports laid before it? I do not believe that would be regular or appropriate. We have as much of a right to be info…

I am a little concerned by the reference to the NTMA. I hope this is not a signal that the State is moving away from seriousness in respect of its position regarding investment in cluster munitions. This would very much be a retrograde step, certainly given Ireland's leadership in this area. Our legislation is quite clear regarding this matter. It was framed initially in terms of the NTMA at the time, but the clear impetus and force of the convention, which, as I said, we negotiated in Croke Park and gave leadershi…

I thank the Minister of State. Again, it may be useful when the reports are placed before the Dáil, if not the Seanad, to indicate what kind of information will be available and will come through. This is something that is certainly important for Ireland to monitor. I accept the bona fides of the Minister of State in this regard, but we may return to the issue because I think greater scrutiny might be needed in terms of some of our other areas of investment in future.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 14, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: “(ii) information regarding what monies paid by the State under the Guarantee Agreement were used for, including but not limited to evidence that the monies paid by the State were not used for purposes contrary to the State’s legislative obligations related to investment, including but not limited to obligations under the Fossil Fuel Act 2018 and the Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Act 2018; and”.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 16, line 28, to delete “Dáil Éireann” and substitute “both Houses of the Oireachtas”.

I move amendment No. 5: In page 16, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “(b)information regarding what payments made by the State to enable it to comply with its obligations under the MFA+ Contribution Agreement were utilised for,including but not limited to evidence that the monies paid by the State were not used for purposes contrary to the State’s legislative obligations related to investment, including but not limited to obligations under the Fossil Fuel Act 2018 and the Cluster Munitions and Anti…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 17, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “Report on conditionalities 22. The Minister shall, within 18 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining the manner in which Ireland has ensured that European Union funding to Ukraine does not come with conditionalities which would undermine long-term social cohesion such as enforced austerity, privatisation or broader structural adjustment programmes.”. Amendment No. 6 seeks to in…

The support for funding for the Ukrainian people is not the question here, and that is not something that is being debated. The question is around genuinely supporting the Ukrainian people so that the funding can be used in the way that is most appropriate and that drives this. With regard to the reporting process - and I say this as a former member of the Future of Europe process - the fact and the legacy is that certain parts of the European Union and its structures are not always necessarily great at talking to …

I will support the Bill in terms of Ireland allocating the funding. I will press the amendment because even while the money is dispersed this is an area that I am not seeing being identified or raised enough at a European level. I would like Ireland to raise it a little more vocally.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 17, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “ Report on conditionalities 22. The Minister shall, within 18 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining any conditionalities or requirements placed on Ukraine as a requirement of access to funds specified under this Act and outlining such steps Ireland has taken in order to ensure such conditionalities do not include enforced austerity, privatisation or broader structural adjustm…

We have not been given a briefing note. I do not have an issue with most of the amendments but if we had been provided with a briefing, we might have had an opportunity to elaborate on or discuss the fact that we are again facilitating moneys coming from the disposal of directed assets and so forth going to the LDA. One of the gaps, which will come up repeatedly in the debate on the directly elected mayor, is the question of resources, including at local and local authority levels. This is a set of measures relatin…

I apologise, as we believed amendments Nos. 3 to 7, inclusive, were grouped.