Is the Tánaiste satisfied that the Defence Forces, specifically the military intelligence branch, are appropriately resourced in terms of personnel, training and technology to effectively address the increasing demands of counter-espionage operations? What plans are in place to enhance these capabilities in light of evolving threats to national security?

I appreciate that the Tánaiste cannot comment in detail on specific incidents but, looking at some incidents over the last four or five years, we seem to have a very cavalier approach to counter-intelligence and threats to the State. The Tánaiste obviously cannot comment on the recent example of Cobalt, although he did comment in the media. He said he was not briefed although a previous Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said he had been briefed. That presented an image of nobody really knowing what was going on unless they …

The Tánaiste might give us some timelines in respect of the evaluation that he spoke of. It is important that this is not used as a political football and that we approach it in a mature way. There are some examples that take us by surprise. Last month, my constituency colleague seemed to come under some sort of misinformation attack from outside the State. A report came in that the Minister for public expenditure, Deputy Donohoe, had given assurances to the Israeli State in 2019 in respect of the occupied territor…

I have not accepted it. I am wondering why the State is not pursuing it.

As you should be.

It is about your pursuance of it.

I understand from the media that a memo was brought to the Cabinet relating to the restoration of Dublin city centre. One of the suggestions that made the press was that RTÉ would be moved to the GPO -----

My question, and I will do a somersault if it turns out to be true, is whether there was a budget in the memo for any of its plans or whether that issue is just another publicity stunt for Fine Gael next week. Is this something serious about how we restore the city of Dublin? In that memo, is there a budget and is there a timeline?

Tuesday, then. It was reported on “Morning Ireland” on Monday and in The Irish Times.

Does the Tánaiste expect a budget? Will there be a budget?

The €80 million inheritance tax break.

The Minister might answer the question.

I think the Minister and I share the belief that, in the round, the BusConnects plan for Dublin city will be largely positive. However, I cannot step away from the fact that two of the five bus services being lost will impact the community of Drumcondra. I ask specifically about the No. 11 bus route, which serves an older population and a population with disabilities. As the route goes from north to south, it used to go through the city. Its replacement, the No. 19 service, will stop at Parnell Street. The Minister…

To the Taoiseach, I say that nobody has a monopoly on compassion for any tragedy to be discussed in this House, no less one that incorporates a genocide that is being inflicted on the people of Gaza, so let us just park that issue there. Equally, few of us have had the opportunity that the Taoiseach had in the past week to stare square in the eye the people who are arming those perpetrating the genocide. Two things the Taoiseach failed to mention were first, genocide, and, second, the sale of arms. The Taoiseach ha…

I will use the majority of my time to discuss poverty – childhood poverty and poverty of the parent or guardian – and the missed opportunity of this budget to go some way towards addressing it. Hundreds of thousands of people continue to be left out of what the Government refers to as Ireland’s economic recovery post crash, a myth told to countless struggling families across the country. I have seen this myth in some parts of my constituency, but certainly not all. Social welfare changes implemented over the past t…

Social Justice Ireland, the ESRI, the Growing Up in Ireland report, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and One Family have all made statements on the budget and each have highlighted the fact child poverty has increased dramatically during the Minister's time in government. It has increased so dramatically there was a 30,000 increase in children experiencing deprivation just last year. Over the course of the next day there will be another ratification of the energy grants scheme, which is fine, but €15.5 million of…

As we speak, I am conscious there are more than 30 Irish peacekeepers in an outpost in southern Lebanon who have placed themselves in harm’s way in the name of peace. We were all fairly stunned and watched in horror at the images that came through in recent days of a Merkava Mark IV tank lying right outside their base. That particular tank could not operate without the American-made engine which sits within it. Today, the Taoiseach is going off to meet Joe Biden. It would have been appropriate for the Taoiseach to …

What is Deputy Farrell talking about?

Does Deputy Farrell not think this is an important issue? The Taoiseach walked out of the room.

I find it very disheartening that the Fine Gael TD does not believe it is important or that peacekeepers deserve appropriate time-----