I have a simple and direct question for the Minister. Will he suspend the extradition agreement with Hong Kong, as a number of countries have done, in light of the imposition on Hong Kong of the new security law by the Chinese authorities?

I welcome the Minister's clear outline of Ireland's concern at the imposition of this law on Hong Kong. However, we must give a clear manifestation of that concern. Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and, today, New Zealand have suspended their extradition agreements with Hong Kong in protest against the deeply concerning imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong. New Zealand's Foreign Minister said today that New Zealand can no longer trust that Hong Kong's criminal justice system is sufficiently indep…

I thank the Minister for his reply. He might indicate what other EU countries he is having discussions with to ensure we will move in lockstep with others. I have no difficulty with that. Regarding the Minister's discussions with the Chinese ambassador to Ireland, can he indicate the ambassador's response to the concerns the Minister set out? In a recent radio interview the ambassador described the democratic protesters in Hong Kong as terrorists. Was that the tone of his response to the Minister outlining Ireland'…

It is hard to get to ask a supplementary question when one is up in the gods.

I compliment Deputy Browne on tabling this question, on which I want to make a brief supplementary contribution. If there are difficulties in the UK land bridge, and the Minister acknowledges there will at least be short-term difficulties, there will be long queues to board ships in Dover and other places. We need to have more direct connectivity from the island of Ireland to continental Europe. I am not surprised that some ferry companies have indicated they do not want Government intervention because some of them…

I too congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on her election. I know she will grace her office with distinction. Has the Minister had discussions with the leader of the opposition in the British Parliament, Keir Starmer, about Brexit? Has he spoken with any other opposition leaders about it, given that we need allies with an understanding of Ireland's and the European Union's position?

I welcome the Minister's statement. It would be very useful to have a direct discussion with Keir Starmer. I had many discussions with him when he was the Brexit spokesperson for the British Labour Party, but he will be very influential now that he is the leader of that party, particularly at a time when there seems to be a growing movement within the British Government away from its official position on the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration that was solemnly agreed at the end of last year. We need…

It would be very worthwhile for the Minister to do so. While he is right about the changed arithmetic in the British Parliament, if there is a growing view within the British Government that is not supportive of the withdrawal agreement, the more understanding voices we have within the British parliamentary system to articulate an alternative perspective, the better. It would be worthwhile for the Minister to have direct discussions and clarify any points of misunderstanding with all parties in the British Parliame…

The general joy expressed by the principal participants at the conclusion of the European Council was not an expression of jubilation at a wonderful outcome, rather an expression of profound relief that an agreement had finally and actually been achieved. What was at stake, as was clearly expressed within the Council, and if we believe the various news reports, by both Chancellor Merkel and President Macron was a fundamental test for the Union. A fundamental question being asked was whether the current Union of 27 …

Indeed. I hope Members can hear if not see me up here. I wish the Taoiseach well in his first face-to-face European Council meeting. It is really important that he meet his colleagues face to face because personal relationships are extremely important in European Council affairs, as the Taoiseach knows very well. This is, as he rightly says, a Council meeting that will be focused exclusively on money. The last time there was a negotiation for a multi-annual financial framework, we in this country were at the heart …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I am up here in the gods.

I can barely see my colleagues. I want to begin by congratulating the Minister, Deputy Coveney, on his reappointment at a critical time for Ireland in international affairs. He has done a very good job to date and I look forward to working with him from the Labour Party’s perspective. I also wish to congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, on his appointment. I said to him that he had been sent out to bat so often in tricky circumstances for the previous Government that he certainly deserved promotion and…

I am delighted to have an opportunity to congratulate the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on her appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality. Obviously, we worked in the last Dáil when she had responsibility in the area of European affairs with Brexit as the focus. I also wish the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, well. In my judgment, the most important task the Minister will have in the coming years is completing the programme of Garda reform. We have talked about this for a decade. The single most important …

The Estimate for the Department of the Taoiseach and the associated group of Estimates cover a broad spectrum, as we have seen. As the Taoiseach rightly stated, the work of his Department, as in other areas of Government, will in the coming years and certainly in the coming months focus on and be dominated by the challenges and demands of the ongoing Covid crisis, from both health and economic perspectives. Please God, we have seen the worst of the crisis. I hope we will not be visited by a second wave. There will …

It is, so one could actually-----

The "securitats" won.

It is about resources.

What about the extradition agreement?

I begin, like others, by expressing my sincere condolences to the family, friends and work colleagues of the late Detective Garda Colm Horkan. The whole country was shocked when the news came of his brutal murder. It has united the nation in grief and has underscored for all of us the importance of our police force, An Garda Síochána, the protectors of the peace. Unlike many police forces, members of An Garda Síochána are not law enforcers. The force was founded as a protector of the peace and by and large its memb…

I will pose questions in the two categories I raised earlier. On the new recovery fund, where stands the Belgian-Irish initiative? What sum is on the table for Ireland and is it in the form of loans or grants? As I have indicated, we can borrow our own money at very cheap rates. On Brexit, where stands the fisheries portfolio? What does the phrase "middle ground indicated" mean? Has there been any modification of our position on fisheries? Where are we in respect of the level playing field issues? Is there a propos…