To what extent did the Taoiseach see at first hand evidence of the atrocities we hear so much about? What was the reaction of his colleagues with whom he had discussions at a later stage? What is the possibility of introducing some mechanism whereby countries subject to this kind of aggression from Russia - or anywhere else, for that matter - might expect to receive assistance in a meaningful way to protect themselves? My last point is about experiences of the past, when big countries decided to overlook national o…

I will speak on the same issue, which has affected all of us all over the country. I realise and accept that a review is taking place and is due to report fairly shortly. I request that the matter be resolved in good time for those left standing, for want of a better word, and for those, some of whom were children in very sensitive cases, who were asked to leave the bus, even though their immediate next-door neighbours were on the same bus and there were vacant seats all around the bus. We must try to ensure that w…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue. It is an important issue and I thank the Minister for coming into the House to address it. I know this family well. In a family law procedure, both sides have an opportunity to make their case and have it challenged. In the case of this particular woman, she was greeted with a child psychology report, which was accepted without challenge. She was never given an opportunity to challenge it. The Minister and I have been in courts across this country and…

The Minister has answered the questions himself. It is imperative that Tusla get involved in the case. The court directing that it is not welcome is, to my mind, a violation of the mother's rights, which cannot be tolerated. I ask the Minister to encourage Tusla to get involved in the case to secure the children's rights. Presumably, the court psychologist's report would back that up, but it did not, because it was only requisitioned on behalf of one side. The other person was not allowed to counter it. I cannot un…

I thank the Minister.

Absolutely.

This is a most important debate, on which I am glad to have the opportunity to make a contribution. I should say that many times over the years I have expressed that we should be open about the desire to defend ourselves and each other as full members of the EU. We talk about our traditional position on neutrality. We never had a traditional position on neutrality. We did not have a position on neutrality until 1939. As it happens, the former Taoiseach, Eamon de Valera, took the right decision at the time, because …

We did it.

I am sorry to interrupt. I recognise what the Deputy is saying but it is important, from the point of view of the House, that the House does not always spend its time wisely. There are many delays. The message that goes out from here, which the Deputy is referring to at the moment, is not the fault of the House. The House provides the accommodation to move legislation forward when it should be moved forward in the interests of the State. The balance between debate and the movement of legislation, which may not alwa…

We were in here until midnight the other night play-acting. It was a total waste of time.

It took two hours and a bit.

I beg your pardon.

Hold up for a moment. I am sorry about that.

Just a minute, I happen to be in the Chair.

The message that goes out from the House at all times is what prevails and what happens in the House. The public outside gets the message. I have to bring to the Deputy's attention that it is all very fine to blame Government or Opposition in the course of debates but the purpose of this discussion is not to blame Government or Opposition - either one; the purpose is to address the content of the Bills. There are three important Bills. I am sorry. The Deputy may think that is funny but it is not. He knows that from…

No.

No. We are supposed to talk about the Bill.

There is no use wasting time and, at the same time, blaming the House for not facilitating you.

You did not up to now but you are heading into it.

You are normally very astute-----