I thank the Tánaiste for the comprehensive nature of his reply. By way of supplementary question, if he is satisfied with the progress to date regarding the changes deemed to be necessary within the Defence Forces, to what extent does he think the proposed changes are accepted within the Defence Forces? Given the necessity to deal with such issues in the shortest possible time, and in order to stamp out any acceptance of the kind of things that went on, which the Tánaiste has already referred to in the reply, to wh…

Are the issues around pay and working conditions being fully addressed in an aggressive way in order to ensure that the Defence Forces and its membership can rest assured that the changes proposed are inevitable, that they are being made, and that they are being taken seriously, and that refers to all and every aspect of the report?

This question seeks to ascertain the degree to which we can expect any improvement, encouragement, or financial contribution from our European colleagues regarding defence and security, given the extensive shoreline for which this country has responsibility and that we are living in a time of many challenges from many sources.

I thank the Tánaiste. Can I ask the extent to which discussions have taken place with our EU colleagues with a view to speeding up the degree of support which may be available in the event of a rapid attack from some quarter, given as the Tánaiste has said, the situation in Ukraine and how quickly it happened and with no warning? It might be necessary to have some further assistance from our European colleagues in order to defend our own infrastructure in the event of an incursion.

It could happen.

The variety of potential threats, such as drug running - and our congratulations go to the Defence Forces on their tremendous success in recent times in this area - also underlines the necessity to prepare for an ongoing attack or incursion in that area, and that at all times it is now necessary to make preparations well in advance and to try to ensure our defence systems have the technology, personnel, and air, sea, and land equipment to deal with any such situation as it arises and to deal with it firmly. I ask t…

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Again, I congratulate the Tánaiste on his progressive approach to the issues raised by a number of Deputies. Has there been a strict identification of the cause or causes of recruitment and retention difficulties in the Defence Forces? Have women been reassured by the actions to date that the Defence Forces can be a place to follow a career in safety, with an assurance it is the right place to go? Can both women and men be satisfied that the actions being taken are addressing the …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Following the publication of the report and the investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse and harassment within the Defence Forces, have there been any other incidents reported?

Could I ask the Minister by way of a supplementary question the extent to which studies have been undertaken into joint wind and solar energy production centres? This would be with a view to bringing solar energy, insofar as is possible, to a level ensuring that wind energy is near continuous in times of calmness. Is that being studied at the moment? Has it been advanced to a stage where we can quantify exactly what is likely to come from the solar energy farms and how soon? How much evaluation is being done at the…

Has an evaluation been done of the various processes through which the applications have to be examined and the way in which the work is carried out with a view to identifying the snags or difficulties before they become obvious and before they cause serious delays to those who wish to upgrade the BERs of their homes to avail of the benefits of heat retention?

The saga of Castletown House and access to it and to the State-owned lands there continues. The Minister kindly apprised us all of the ongoing dispute, the ongoing deterioration in the condition of Castletown House and the need for ongoing maintenance that cannot be carried out. However, he appears to believe that the blame lies with local protests, which were occasioned by the fact that the OPW decided to break all the rules and attempt to remove part of the wrought iron gates without planning permission, consulta…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important issue once again. I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House to reply. As we all know, this arises from the continued and ongoing use of section 47, section 32 and other sections in litigation in respect of family custody situations. The production of a section 47 or a section 32 report predetermines the outcome of any case, any discussions in almost every instance, particularly in cases where no cross-examination of the producer of th…

I thank the Minister of State for her extensive and detailed reply. I am aware she understands the situation and this is indicated in the reply. The situation also needs to look at how simple it has become. For example, if a child is reluctant to visit with one parent in a particular situation, it is immediately concluded that this child has been the subject of parental alienation. That may not be the case. There could be a reason the child does not want to go in that particular direction. That should be reasoned a…

I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive reply in respect of a very difficult subject at a very difficult time. No words can describe the depth of revulsion among the general public and many countries across the globe at what is being perpetrated by the Israelis in Gaza. It cannot be justified that a retaliation in any circumstances goes on in order to achieve a greater body count. One of the things I have noticed in this situation over the years is that it would appear that a body count, in terms of initial rea…

To what extent can the Taoiseach continue to impress upon the authorities in Northern Ireland and the UK the need to resolve on an ongoing basis issues that have arisen from Brexit and that have caused problems for the business, industry and commercial sectors north and south of the Border? What is the extent to which the Taoiseach can continue to impress upon all with whom he meets the necessity to identify and attempt to resolve the issues of contention?

County Kildare as well.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue again and I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to respond. I brought this to the attention of the House some days ago. It still goes on. I alert the House about the degree to which lending agencies, namely investment funds, otherwise known as vulture funds, and some of the standard banks, are hustling borrowers into hasty decisions and are frightening borrowers. There is a clear indication of a resolute approach by the lending institut…

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. A typical example of some of the things that are happening at present is that the lender will encourage the submission of a proposal to make payments or bring about a resolution and, invariably, that will have to be referred to a credit committee, which will reject it on the basis it is not realistic or sustainable. The lending institution, therefore, makes the decision to exclude the customer from the possibility of attempting to resolve the difficulty tha…

I thank the Minister of State.

I raise again the issue I have raised on numerous occasions in the past, namely, the ongoing difficulties experienced in the family law issues that are ongoing and that have been decided on, the discrimination against mothers and fathers of children, to the extent that parents are barred from seeing their children indefinitely. This has been raised in various other parliaments across Europe. It has been raised on discrimination grounds by freedom-thinking people across Europe and I raise it again in the hope that t…