In support of my colleague, I want to ask the Minister if any measure is taken of the number of patients reporting with heretofore unidentified conditions that might come under the guise of rare diseases, on a monthly or yearly basis, in order to reassure patients.

In support of my colleague, given that there is an emergency and an actual shortage of doctors at various levels throughout the health services in the country, and in anticipation of maybe an even greater and more acute shortage in the years to come by virtue of population changes, could I ask the Minister whether it might be possible to ensure that whatever procedures prevail throughout the EU in respect of incoming doctors, might be applied here?

This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which we are preparing for this year's accommodation needs for students in third level and fourth level education and anticipating next year's requirements in that area. I am conscious of situations where some students are forced into unsuitable situations that require them to travel long distances at night and involve a lack of security and risk.

I thank the Minister for that information, in particular in relation to Maynooth. I can assure the Minister, as he himself will be aware, that there is still a shortfall, particularly in relation to on-campus accommodation which improves immeasurable security in so far as students are concerned. In many ways, it also reduces the cost. It also ensures that, as far as parents are concerned, they can be sure that their sons or daughters are in safe accommodation and that they do not have to walk or travel a couple of …

I thank the Minister for that vital information. In view of the expanding student population in some colleges which are growing immeasurably, I would ask that particular account be taken of their requirements as above and beyond all other requirements in the sector at present.

This issue was touched on earlier. To what extent is there a need to ensure, insofar as possible, that skill levels are sufficient to meet the current and future challenges given the trends to date?

To what extent have the Minister and his Department been able to identify the areas that are most in need at this time? What procedures are in place to address the shortages in good time?

Now that the family law legislation is under review and is likely to necessitate amending legislation, is it intended to bring these matters before the House at the earliest possible date given the possibility of claims against the State if that is not done?

I thank the Taoiseach for the detail of his reply. The purpose of the question is to try to ensure, in accordance with Government policy, that all Departments can make a meaningful contribution so as not to leave the brunt of the heavy load in one or two Departments only. It is also an opportunity to ensure we in this country are fairly treated vis-à-vis our European competitors and non-European competitors, with particular reference to those who might be direct competitors insofar as our exports are concerned. It …

The vote will take place at the usual time next week.

I thank the Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for facilitating the publication of the so-called parental alienation report. I do not, as yet, know what it is in that report but I hope it will be sufficient starkly and suddenly to discontinue the practice. I compliment all involved for bringing it this far, including the Minister for State who facilitated the debate in the House.

This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister might encourage a review of the housing needs on a county-by-county basis, given that there may be differences in the demand from county to county, and whether or not it might be possible to set up a new scheme or adapt one of the existing schemes in order to cater specifically for them.

Might it be possible to consider also the reintroduction of the private sites scheme or individual subsidised sites in a number of counties to cater for that part of the market that is not being catered for at the present time by virtue of a number of issues?

I am sharing time with Deputy Lawless. I am glad to have an opportunity to contribute on this important issue, which is growing more important as time goes by. I compliment the Tánaiste on bringing the matter before the House and setting up this review of our defence and security, of which there are many aspects. As every day goes by, new threats arise that we may have to contend with in future, for example, cyber threats, the threat of induced viruses, which we constantly hear about on television, and how, from ti…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to bring this matter up again. I am aware there is a lot of support for the content of the question, both inside this House and outside. It has recently come to pass that the issue also takes up discussion in other parliaments too, including yesterday and the day before in the House of Commons, as well as at the United Nations Human Rights Council, whereby custody, violence against women, and violence against children is the subject matter for discussion. It is a peculiar…

I very much appreciate the Minister of State coming into the House. I know she has taken an interest in that particular subject as well, and rightly so. I thank her for the tone of the reply. My only comment is in support in thanking the Minister of State and the Minister for Justice for bringing the matter this far. The next important item is to bring it the rest of the way in the shortest time possible, because women who are mothers, and their children, are suffering in the meantime. This is not one case, a dozen…

A Aire Stáit, you have five minutes more if you want to take them.

Deputy Kerrane has ten minutes.

These questions seek to ascertain the extent to which our security forces can intercept, in an emergency, if necessary, to intervene to protect vital national or international infrastructure, given the unusual interest shown by foreign powers in these areas in recent times.

I thank the Tánaiste for that detailed reply. My question also focuses on the ability of the military services here to take the necessary action to dissuade those who might want to loiter, for want of a better description, in territorial waters, or non-territorial waters for that matter, close to the Irish shoreline. I refer to the degree to which it might be possible to receive assistance or support from other EU countries in the event of large-scale intrusions whose purpose it may not be possible to verify. It mu…