I again bring to the attention of the House the urgent need for reform in respect of family law. To what extent are procedures in hand to accelerate reform through the House? I bring to the attention of the House the fact that expert witnesses in that area have been questioned in the past and seem to have taken upon themselves the role of the whole administration of family law. What is the progress in respect of the promised reforms?

I have met both.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this particular issue, and the Minister of State for coming into the House to address it. It relates to a meeting which the finance committee had with the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland and his officials some time ago, wherein he shed some considerable light on the way lending agencies were expected to treat their customers. What is emerging now is a new and aggressive regime in respect of some impaired loans, some of which were in payment constantly and…

I thank the Minister of State. I accept the regulations that are in place do not always fit the situation. Invariably we come across situations from time to time in which a proposal is made to the lending agency based on the ability of the borrower to meet it. Invariably it is rejected and the borrower is told it is not sustainable. It is not sustainable for the lending agency, but it is sustainable for the borrower. I would like to mention another issue. The lending institutions are taking full advantage of the ho…

They may come again.

I thank the Minister of State. We have 30 minutes remaining for all, and we have five speakers. That is six minutes each. Let us try it and see how it works. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne is first.

The six minutes are up, Deputy. We want to get everybody in.

Might it be possible to set up an international forum on site and close to the zones of conflict where it could be regarded as the go-to authority to relay grievances on both sides? We must acknowledge that the incursion into Israel by Hamas two weeks ago was not necessarily a friendly gesture, as some would try to paint it nowadays. The retaliation is not a friendly gesture, as some would try to paint it. That cannot go on. The tit-for-tat response to one act of violence with another and another cannot continue. T…

To what extent is the Minster satisfied that she has touched all the sensitive areas in relation to the challenges that face people who are dependent on a social welfare payment, and particularly in the face of rising costs, the cost-of-living increases, and a whole lot of challenges that manifested themselves as a result of inflation?

I thank the Minister for that comprehensive reply. I am not going to prolong my question because other Members' questions are grouped with it. I congratulate the Minister on identifying the areas she has referred to and for acknowledging the fact that there are people who are in particular difficulties at the present time, through no fault of their own, due to the fact that circumstances have changed, inflation has taken off or there may be an illness in the household that changed the whole situation for individual…

No, I am happy. I will let my colleagues in.

No, I am happy so far.

Will the Minister indicate the three most commonly identified causes for dropouts from higher education? To what extent is it possible to address the issue in the context of providing graduates in the future?

The spectacular absence of the voice of the child continues in family law discussions, debates and deliberations throughout this country, despite the Minister's correct intention and indication that reforms are promised at the end of this year or in early next year, and despite the fact the people of this country passed a referendum underwriting the rights of the child and the need for recognition in that regard. The Tánaiste has personally indicated concern in this area. Can some intervention be made to encourage …

The voice of the child is the dominant one in this situation.

I thank the Tánaiste.

I am glad to have an opportunity to contribute to this very important debate on the issue of investment in healthcare. There are many facets to it and many demands because it is demand-driven. I have raised this issue on numerous occasions. Every year after the budget, the question has always been to ask the Minister for Health to indicate whether the budget allocation for his Department is sufficient to meet the requirements for the next 12 months. It is a simple, straightforward question and the answer is always …

It is. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this particularly sensitive and important issue in the House at this time. I am aware a meeting took place this evening at about 5 p.m. but unfortunately we could not be in the two places; bilocation is not one of our achievements just yet. However, a continued discussion took place at that meeting between the Office of Public Works, OPW, and local residents with a view to facilitating the works that remain to be undertaken to safeguard the roof and ensure…

I thank the Minister of State for the update. I recognise that we were all here all evening and that it was not possible to get the updated position otherwise. The situation is simply this. The local residents who have not agreed to the protocol at this stage are really concerned. They are concerned about Castletown House itself and they want to ensure the works to restore it and that its operation and the way it was available for tourism, educational and amenity purposes will continue in the future. They are equal…

I thank the Taoiseach for the comprehensive reply. At the next promised Cabinet committee meeting, will the inability of the Department of Health in general to come within budget and deliver services as anticipated be recognised? Is it expected that dead reckoning, or as near as possible to it, can be achieved in respect of this? Has sufficient emphasis been put on the people charged with identifying the potential costs over the course of a year or two years? Will it be possible to meet the challenges of the future…