Do not forget the salient issues as well.

There is only slightly more than one minute remaining, so we might come to a conclusion at this stage, depending on what Members want, but there will not be time for an answer.

The Deputy has 30 seconds.

Go raith maith agat.

The Select Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimate for public services for the year ending 31 December 2023: Vote 37; and the following Further Revised Estimate for public services for the year ending 31 December 2023: Vote 42.

We seem to be running okay. Deputy Seán Canney is next, followed by Deputies Connolly, Tully, Harkin, Joan Collins, Ó Murchú, Michael Moynihan and Funchion. Deputy Ó Cathasaigh will also speak. Deputy Moynihan has to leave early to catch the train to Cork. I ask Members to keep that in mind while we try to facilitate everybody.

That is a very satisfactory and successful conclusion to a very important debate. I thank all concerned.

Over the past six months I have repeatedly raised the question of the plight of a large number of women the length and breadth of this country who find themselves subjected to extraordinary abusive situations whereby in many cases they are not allowed to meet or to see their children except by telephone. Nothing appears to be happening as a matter of urgency, but something must happen as a matter of urgency. Otherwise, this House will be turning its back on the women who are mothers who are being subjected to this …

And Kildare.

I acknowledge the Minister of State's reference to Kildare North, which is his neighbouring constituency. I ask him to keep it in mind because of the rapidly increasing population and the demand that follows that in terms of sports capital grants, equipment grants and swimming pools, on which we were unfortunate in the past. I ask the Minister of State to look favourably on his next-door neighbours in this situation, in which he also has an interest.

My question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister can encourage the tourism industry to expand to meet the widest possible market and to encourage various aspects of tourism where an advantage can be gained. I ask that in the context of our recovery from the Covid-19-related lockdowns and the industry's prospects for the future.

I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. There are two aspects I would like to concentrate on by way of a supplementary question. The first relates to niche tourism and particularly the use of large country houses. There is considerable scope for niche tourism in that regard. Some of those houses have taken those opportunities and others have not. I also raise the development of conference tourism. There is an enormous international market in that respect. Some countries are availing of those opportunities…

I wish to raise the contentious issue of the large number of women throughout the country who are involved in custody battles and find themselves forcibly removed from their children, sometimes arrested, sometimes imprisoned, and sometimes this happens to their children likewise. I want to ascertain to what extent efforts can be made to dislodge the use of a pseudo-condition introduced by an American some years ago, which is totally alien to this country and is reminiscent of what happened in prisoner-of-war camps,…

Both.

I agree in general with the comments of Deputy Hourigan. There are those outside this House who would advise that this was a done deal which cannot be reversed, that Europe has responded favourably to it and so on. It is amazing that a country outside the European Union, where this particular financial house resides, has the ability to overstep the border and make a sizeable investment that presents a danger of crippling one industry and pretending to support another. I brought this to the attention of the Minister…

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this important matter. From dealing with issues relating to health on the health committee for a long period dating back to the health boards, I am deeply conscious of the urgent necessity to respond quickly. I acknowledge the work the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has done already and the serious burden placed on her in the course of recent years. The fact is that it was ever thus with the health service. The same issues occur again and again because this is a deman…

Next are Deputies Canney, Verona Murphy and Lowry of the Regional Group. They are sharing time.

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the next weekly division time.

I commend the Taoiseach on the discussions he has already had. The time involved in the discussion on the Northern Ireland protocol is important. It cannot remain static, immovable or unmoved for a considerable period, considering the extent to which the European Union supported the calls to prevent land borders in this country, the need to address the pressing issues from the point of view of the European Union and the United States and the need to work at the issues involved with a view to resolving them at the e…

I thank the Taoiseach for his extensive reply. At this stage, I feel the important thing to concentrate on is the stalled negotiations, which appear to have been stalled for a considerable time. I know that is not the fault of anybody on either side. It is just a circumstance that arose as a result of circumstances outside of the control of this jurisdiction and others. The important thing now, I believe, is that a special effort be made to co-ordinate all thinking within the UK, Northern Ireland and Europe to brin…