I refer to the EU battle groups which the Tánaiste has mentioned. Does this not erode Ireland's neutrality which has been a policy for decades? It has given huge credence to Ireland's international standing not to take part in any military exercise that is seen as, not defensive, but offensive. I read by this that any participation by Ireland in these groups in a breach of neutrality.

I disagree with the Tánaiste. This is a flagrant breach of Ireland's neutrality. If you look at Ireland's participation even in the Nordic battle groups, the evolution can be seen and how Ireland is being pulled into more of a European defence army. Even on the commentary in the House in relation to eroding Ireland's triple lock status, the former Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, has said in the past that this is open for interpretation and debate. The soundings thus far, particularly in the last year, suggest…

My question relates to nursing home charges, which is an ongoing issue. I understand this goes back a number of decades and the information can be quite opaque, but it raises many questions regarding how the Department of Health and successive governments dealt with this issue. My question is valid and it is to be hoped the Taoiseach can answer it. There are issues in respect of families who were financially burdened with costs. Are there any outstanding liabilities that families and individuals have at present?

Financial liabilities to families that are going through the courts. According to this document, some €5 billion is-----

My question is the same. The programme for Government stated that there would be a citizens' assembly on drug use and the broader question of decriminalisation. We have waited and waited, but as of yet there has not been a date, which is disappointing. This issue has gone on for decades and the status quo is completely unacceptable. It is unacceptable on the basis that as long as governments do not do anything positive, people will die. That is what we are talking about. We are talking about people's lives. I belie…

We spoke about this issue on Thursday when there was an in-depth debate about the present situation in CAMHS. I said on Thursday and I will say again that the lack of clinical oversight was the main critique of the interim report by the Mental Health Commission. Without oversight, there will be serious issues in regard to everything relating to a service such as CAMHS. I acknowledge the work that the staff in CAMHS do. They do a very good job. It is a vital service for young people in distress. Recovery is possible…

I wish the Tánaiste well in his new role. In his role as Minister for Foreign Affairs in a neutral country, what does he intend to do to send the message of neutrality, especially regarding the conflict in Ukraine? As most people have seen, this is a brutal war carried out by a brutal regime.

I will not mince my words. I do not believe that anyone minces their words in this Chamber. Putin is a war criminal. The crimes he has committed in the past year against the Ukrainian people are tantamount to war crimes; they are akin to what Nazi Germany did to most of Europe and Russia. He has caused untold suffering to the Ukrainian people. The resistance by the Ukrainian people has been heroic to the detriment of thousands, including Ukrainian and Russian soldiers. Putin is fixated on continuing this conflict. …

Looking at the past year and the evolution of this conflict, who knows where it will end. With continued escalation and more heavy weaponry, such as the tanks provided by the western alliance, someone somewhere will have to ask where we are going with this conflict. Is it escalation or de-escalation? All wars end but this war has the potential to escalate into a war that could go beyond the borders of Ukraine. When heavy weaponry is provided, as the US, Germany and France have done, one wonders how this war will en…

I welcome this debate and the Mental Health Commission's interim report. It makes for very stark reading, to say the least. The issue of no clinical oversight is at the heart of the report. That is what it comes down to. That branches out to underfunding and understaffing, which is an indictment of mental health services for young people. Young people make up 25% of the population. That is the group that CAMHS provides a service to, yet that cohort of young people only get only 10% of the entire mental health budge…

The programme for Government states that a national director for mental health would be reinstated and would directly report to the CEO of the HSE. Given the gravity of the Mental Health Commission's report, the lack of clinical oversight and the repercussions for children, will the Minister of State consider reinstating this position in our health service?

Shame on you.

Shame on the Deputy.

On Tuesday last, the HSE addressed the Joint Committee on Health on the ongoing crisis in our emergency departments. As we know, hundreds of people have been left on trolleys in public hospitals. This is a perpetual crisis that happens every year and it is completely unacceptable in a country that is quite wealthy. This is obviously a legacy issue related to capacity, given that 40 years ago there were more beds in the public health system than there are now. This is why the crisis has been brewing. Emergency depar…

A number of very important debates will happen next year. These debates are on very complex and quite difficult issues, but I believe these difficulties are not impossible to overcome. Successive governments have failed to address them in any meaningful way. These debates surround the issues of drug reform and end-of-life choices. During this week the Joint Committee on Justice published a report recommending a different approach to drugs for personal use. It is in the Government's power to change policy that will …

As we speak 35 children are being denied a drug because of the insatiable greed of a pharmaceutical company. Vertex, which is based in Ireland, is denying 35 children this vital drug. It has the Government and the HSE over a barrel. More importantly, it has the families over a barrel. This company has made billions of dollars in profits yet it is insatiable for more profits. Can the Minister give the families comfort over Christmas in regard to access to this drug? I understand the health technology assessment is g…

Does the Minister think privatisation of the energy sector has worked? Deregulation happened in the last 25 years. Deregulation and competition were supposed to drive prices down for electricity users but the opposite has happened in Ireland. We had the lowest electricity prices in Europe but now we have one of the highest so something has gone wrong. Private energy companies are doing very well and particularly in the last 18 months. France, which I know uses a lot of nuclear energy, has energy costs that are 50% …

A constituent has contacted me about an unlicensed drug called Cariban, which is used to treat hyperemesis. Deputy Richmond raised this matter with the Minister of State yesterday. The situation with this drug is slightly unclear. This condition, as the Tánaiste will be aware, causes extreme vomiting in pregnancy and is dangerous for both the baby and the mother. In this year's budget, the Minister announced that the drug would be reimbursed and that is welcome. However, it is only reimbursed when prescribed by a c…

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for taking this important matter. The European Commission recently published a new study on breast cancer screening across the European Union. One of its recommendations was to extend breast cancer screening to include women from the ages of 45 to 74. As the Minister of State knows, in Ireland, the screening process begins at 50 and ends at 69. The European Union is saying that for better outcomes for women, the screening process age should be lowered to 45 and end at 74. The figur…

That sounds quite positive. This will take time and more resources. I was on the health committee where experts were brought in to talk about the pros and cons of extending the screening process. The case was quite compelling. It makes it less evasive. There is also an issue of women seeking early diagnosis. I know it can be lengthy and can run into years. For any cancer, early diagnosis and prognosis is important. The Commission's support for the new European Council recommendation is positive and I am glad NSAC h…