The Deputy is contesting the information.

The Deputy has already contested the information given. It is on the record.

The Deputy's contribution and the Minister of State's response are on the record.

The Minister of State has undertaken to look into the matter.

The Minister of State and the Deputy are free to discuss this matter outside the Chamber.

We are moving on to the second Topical Issue.

We are moving on.

I am sure the Tánaiste and the Minister of State have been tracking the concerning developments on the Lebanon-Israel border. Will they update the House on what contingency plans are in place, or what planning has been done, for any potential evacuation of Irish citizens from Lebanon in the coming weeks should that scenario materialise?

I thank the Tánaiste. I appreciate the response. It is reassuring to know there is a citizens' register in Lebanon. The Tánaiste may not have these details to hand, but approximately how many Irish citizens are there? Are we talking hundreds or thousands? An interim arrangement is in place in case the Government needs a jet to go to Brussels or wherever, as is completely appropriate. Has consideration been given to extending that interim arrangement to have some kind of aircraft available to get to Beirut if necess…

As the Tánaiste knows, I always recognise progress when I see it. I recall that some months ago he signed a €68 million contract for a new military transport aircraft, which is being built in Spain as we speak. It was initially expected to be delivered to Baldonnel in 12 months, which was positive enough. I assume that is still on schedule. Does the Tánaiste have an update on it? It looks as though an escalation is likely to happen, and we should make maximum use of the available time between now and everything kic…

In light of the comments made in the Chamber and outside earlier, I have three brief questions. The first is for context and I say it with full respect. Does the Taoiseach know how many members of his party have criminal records? If he does not, does he think he should know? I agree entirely with the Taoiseach's views about the court liaison officer. I was one myself. It is archaic and needs to be changed, but the Defence Forces cannot change the law. Only politicians can change the law. The Defence Forces have bee…

I very much welcome the opportunity to make some brief comments and contribute to this very important debate. I will say at the outset that I am very much in favour of renewing these two really important Acts for another 12 months, namely, the Offences against the State Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009. I do so for the following reasons. First, they are the very best defence we have against organised crime, serious international drug dealing and terrorism. I do not refer just to domestic terro…

I leave the last word to the Minister.

There is nobody in the Chamber.

If the Minister speaks a little slower, we can give her more latitude for her answers.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I wish the Minister of State a good morning. I am very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on the nature restoration law. I commend my good colleague, Deputy Naughten, and our group administrator Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh, who did the lion's share of the work preparing this motion to be brought to the floor of the Dáil. The motion is very timely. All we have to do is look at what is happening in the world at the moment. It is clear our envir…

I will just speak briefly to support the principle of Deputy Howlin's amendment. I agree that the structures are not fit for purpose in any shape or form. They are nearly a century old and definitely need to be reformed for sure. I will also zoom in on Deputy Howlin's point on the Accounting Officer piece. Maybe this is not for today but it is very important to put on the Dáil record that the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána. Similarly, the Chief of Staff for the Defence Forces, or…

I support the general thrust of those comments. I wish to speak to amendments Nos. 3 and 5. I agree with the two Deputies that the phrase "or matter of Government policy" is unnecessary. It is probably superfluous. The relevant sentence could very easily stop after the phrase "in relation to a political matter". A tradition dating back 30 or 40 years means members of the Defence Forces rightly cannot protest about certain matters. Wives and partners of Defence Forces personnel are regularly called upon in this rega…

I will speak on my amendment No. 8 and in support of Deputies Cronin and Howlin. First, there is a lot of good stuff in this Bill, but this is a lightning rod for any discontent. I think we all welcome true, independent oversight. It is a good model. I think everybody here wants this oversight body to be a success. We want it to not only be a success but an exemplar of good governance. As Deputy Howlin pointed out, the Secretary General has an executive function in the defence apparatus. Mixing oversight and execut…

I will double down on a few points. First, I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I appreciate his position. I do not even feel as though we are having a debate here. We are not even having an argument. It is really an appeal to reason. The word "victim" was used, and it was used correctly. I would say we are speaking on behalf of the victims because the Women of Honour group itself does not want the Secretary General of the day on the external oversight board. It is the victims who are requesting a review of the s…