Maybe it is just me.

I thank the Minister for his response. It is encouraging to hear about the schools programme in particular. It is good that roll-out is taking place. I just want to revisit the cost of electricity. The Minister acknowledged that we have an inordinately high cost of electricity here in this country. I emphasise that permeates every aspect of the economy and society, from the cost of a coffee, to a pint of milk and to a loaf of bread. We need to put more downward pressure on the cost of electricity. I would be intere…

Has a formal risk assessment been carried out on the likely impact on our diplomats and peacekeeping troops in the Middle East if Ireland chooses to join South Africa in its case in the ICJ on the Gaza and Palestinian question?

I understand and I thank the Tánaiste for the update. I was not aware that tomorrow was likely-----

I agree with the sentiments expressed. The concept I am trying to introduce is that there are consequences to our actions. I am not sure that has been factored into the debate over the past number of weeks. We should always be mindful of the second and third order effects. We do not want to compromise our other vital operations in the Middle East. I know South Africa has no troops in the Middle East. It has withdrawn its embassy. It is not dependent on the Israeli state for host nation support. The last thing we wa…

I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I also agree. If Ireland's response is part of a wider grouping like the EU or the international community I anticipate there would be no adverse effects. However, if we choose to go unilaterally we must expect consequences. In a similar vein there is also the question of sanctions if Ireland were to unilaterally sanction Israel. Has any assessment been done on what the response of the current Israeli Government would be? I use "current Israeli Government" carefully. Would it …

Is there a supplementary question?

The Deputy only has 60 seconds.

I will give the very last word to the Minister.

I am grateful for the opportunity to make some comments on the most recent European Council meeting, which was held before Christmas. I will focus on three areas, namely, Ukraine, the Middle East and the migration issue that was discussed. From a Ukrainian perspective, I am glad there is general consensus at the EU. Obviously, there are a couple of outlying EU states at the moment, but there is general consensus the European Union should support Ukraine for as long as it takes. I know there is a lot of talk in the …

I am grateful for the opportunity to make some very brief comments on the tribunal being established. I also welcome the Defence Forces veterans to the Gallery. They are hugely welcome, as well they know. I welcome the establishment of the tribunal. It cannot come soon enough as far as I am concerned. I note the comments from Deputy O'Callaghan on the terms of reference. The Tánaiste listed out all the stakeholders, there are lot of them there, and I recognise that it is hard to get unanimity in relation to the ter…

I associate myself with some of the kind comments made this morning about Private Seán Rooney on the first anniversary of his death. I also convey my deepest sympathies to his family and wish Trooper Shane Kearney a speedy recovery who was seriously injured during the incident. This time last year, three investigations were launched to look into the incident, one by the United Nations, one by the Irish authorities and one by the Lebanese authorities. In the short time available, will the Tánaiste update the House o…

The investigations into the killing of Private Seán Rooney.

The United Nations one, the Irish one and the Lebanese one.

I am glad to have the opportunity to make some brief comments on whether we should opt in to this EU directive and whether we should transpose it into Irish legislation. Like the previous speaker, the members of the Regional Group have no major issue with it. We are happy to support its passage for three reasons. It does at least attempt to protect further the integrity of the euro and other currencies. As a fiat currency, public confidence in these currencies is really important. When that is undermined, the entir…

I call Deputy Durkan. We will then take supplementary questions from two other Deputies.

We will take supplementary questions from Deputies Ó Laoghaire and Murnane O'Connor.

I want to add my voice to thank Deputy Shanahan for doing all the leg work and Ms Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh, our group administrator, for doing all the heavy lifting in getting this very important Bill before the House this morning. I am glad the Minister of State actually picked up on the constructive nature of the Bill as well. That is precisely the intended purpose. It is meant to be constructive, positive and optimistic and there is a reason for that. It was not the pessimists who built this country. It was the optimi…

I want to raise a matter of national significance and importance. It has a pensions component as well a national security component. I refer to the impending retirement of the deputy Garda commissioner for policing and security, who will most likely retire in March or April next year. Unfortunately, not a single serving member of An Garda Síochána has applied for promotion to replace her because if they do, they will get hammered from a pensions point of view. Revenue will nail them and there is no financial incent…

I thank the Tánaiste for that useful response. It appears that there is at least an acknowledgement that there is a problem and that the problem can be addressed. My concern is that if it is not addressed until next summer, there will probably be a gap in that appointment while the deputy commissioner retires. I want to flag this and it is important that this post is filled. There is a reason not a single member of An Garda Síochána has applied for the role. That reason, as the Tánaiste pointed out, is financial, a…