It is a new one that I invented myself.

It depends on the intent.

I thank the Tánaiste again for that response. In view of the heightened level of anxiety about the operations of certain vessels in our territorial waters, and given that we have a long shoreline and are off the west coast of Europe, albeit not directly because one country stands between us and it, can we be assured, and can the Tánaiste be assured from the information available to him, that we have sufficiently invested in the necessary resources to be able to identify a threat well in advance concerning sensitive…

I thank the Tánaiste.

This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which this country remains an attractive investment location for foreign direct investment and for the indigenous sector.

I thank the Minister for his detailed, satisfactory and positive reply. To what extent are the manufacturing and service sectors represented in the ongoing development of employment in this country, having particular regard to woes relating to the possible reduction in taxation from that sector at some point in the future? We know that there may be fluctuations; we do not know the extent. However, we need to know to what extent we are preparing for any movement that might not be positive in either the FDI sector or…

I agree entirely with the need for balance and the need to provide for eventualities such as an international recession or sudden financial movements on the world stage which could impact in one way or another on all these issues. To what extent has careful consideration been given to the progress in each of the areas, with particular reference to the top ten taxpayers? In the event of an unforeseen reduction in taxation from that quarter, have we put in place particular measures to replace a potential loss of reve…

Obviously, I am in support of my neighbouring representative and I have to agree. At the same time I must bring to the attention of the House the necessity with regard to all of the regions to identify infrastructural deficits that affect various parts of the country, particularly with regard to bringing on board the type of enterprises my colleague has referred to.

The case to which I referred on a number of occasions in the House continues, with renewed vigour and determination, namely the manner in which mothers and their children who happen to be in custody cases are being treated. A recent indication is that one woman has not been allowed to see her children for 50 weeks. Several others are in the same boat. I know the Leas-Cheann Comhairle does not want me raising this.

I welcome the measures taken and indications from the Minister for Justice and the acting Minister for Justice, but this is now a matter of urgency which will reflect on the nation in a serious way. It would appear that a constitutional crisis will arise, the nature of which we have not heard of for many years. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has spoken, and rightly so, about similar situations, and abhorred them.

It is not a single one.

The heartless and serious persecution of women in the family law courts continues unabated in the State with cases dragging out for years at different courts and at different levels. It appears to continue regardless of what anybody thinks. There appears to be no way of doing anything about it by anybody. I have raised this previously. The Ceann Comhairle has thankfully and correctly facilitated me in raising the matter for consideration. Everybody has expressed concern but the concern now is there is a contention …

There are several cases.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue again. It is a very important one locally. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, for coming to the House to reply. The issue relates to the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, insofar as it relates to Maynooth. The town is heavily overtrafficked and relies on a LIHAF award of €10 million-plus to provide bridges, road realignments, footpaths and internal bypasses to facilitate development and the existing traffic, which is from…

I thank the Minister of State for that detailed and very accurate reply. The issue remains that there has to be progress. Since 1 January, I have expected progress. It is necessary, for all the reasons the Minister of State mentioned. The reply I received the other day is the same as the one I received in January. I have some experience in tabling parliamentary questions. The Minister is a very nice and respectful guy but I was a little taken aback by the cryptic note of the reply. He is a lovely guy and I know he …

This question seeks to focus on the need for the re-energising of the Good Friday Agreement on the basis that it is a work in progress. The contributions that need to be made by all the contributors need to manifest themselves now.

I thank the Tánaiste. I fully agree with and support the measures taken by the Government and by the Tánaiste in particular. There now emerges a possibility for looking again, while recognising the great input of people like Michel Barnier in Europe when the threat was Brexit. That threat still remains. A period of inertia has developed. The focus has shifted from one issue to another, including the Northern Ireland protocol and the Windsor Framework, so that there is not the focus there was. Also emerging in North…

I thank the Tánaiste for his further reply. At this stage, would it be opportune to engage to an even greater extent with the communities on both sides of the debate in Northern Ireland and with the institutions in a helpful, non-aggressive and non-invasive way to assure them that the principles involved in the agreement are still alive and necessary and that we must strive to ensure that a vacuum does not develop wherein speculation replaces a very hard-won agreement that was fought for over a long number of years…

I am happy to echo the words of my colleagues regarding our built heritage, historical sites and historical venues and the history attached to them. This is based on their educational value for future generations. We do not sufficiently value the extent to which future generations can learn from these historical sites and become part of pursuing the legend in this regard, or the legacy in any event. My colleagues, including Deputy Farrell, mentioned that all of our heritage is ours now, whatever the circumstances w…

I raise this issue for obvious local reasons relating to the general hospital, which is pivotally located in an area of rapidly expanding population and is greatly instrumental in assisting the delivery of the health services in this catchment area. The population is growing at a rapid rate and any five-year population predictions are now accelerated. This enhances the importance and pivotal nature of the hospital and its services. In recent times there have been some changes. There are a number of clinics - a warf…