Let us hope that continues. No pressure, Minister.

I ask the Tánaiste about the establishment of an international centre for the prosecution of the crime of aggression, with a particular focus on Ukraine and Russian activities there, and the suggestion that has been made by Eurojust that such a body be established. Will the Tánaiste outline his views on that proposal?

This is a really important step. As I understand it, Russia is outside the jurisdiction of the ICC, not being a party to the Rome Statute. I think of historical parallels. I am not sure if the Tánaiste is familiar with the book East West Street by Philippe Sands. It is an excellent work for many reasons. It chronicles the two Jewish lawyers who effectively led the Nuremburg trials and developed the concept of crimes against humanity, which phrase did not exist prior to that. Not only did it characterise from a lega…

A supplementary point that occurs to me is that while it has historically been difficult to capture evidence for prosecution of these types of crimes, in 2024 we have access to real-time footage, not only from the journalists - we heard the BBC and other respected bodies mentioned earlier - but also from people on the ground, from postings on their own social media accounts. Obviously, there is a certain bias depending on who is behind the camera, but there is a wealth of material available that may be of assistanc…

There have been proposals for peace in Ukraine, some of which are barely worth considering. There was what I might describe as a Russian-friendly proposal mooted at one stage, including, I think, by some Members of this House, that would allow Russia to retain jurisdiction over the likes of Crimea, etc., which does not even bear considering. It is more acquiescence and surrender than peace. In any event, there is a proposal from Ukraine for peace. What are the Tánaiste's views on that? Does he think it will gain tr…

I thank the Tánaiste. It is encouraging to hear that progress is being made internationally and that many partners are working with us and others to advance that. Continued Russian aggression is a concern, primarily in Ukraine but also, as the Tánaiste referenced in earlier remarks, in other theatres. I was struck by President Macron's recent remarks that the European Union's response must step up. Of course, he was conciliatory in the early stages. He was almost apologetic for that recently when he perhaps reflect…

How concerned is the Tánaiste, because I presume he is in some way concerned and I imagine probably very concerned, about the possible ascension of President Trump part 2 in the United States? I was disappointed to see Nikki Haley bow out of that race. I suppose the Irish preference would be for President Biden to continue. In any event, there is a risk of a repositioning of the United States on the international scene. It is quite extraordinary that the party of Reagan, who oversaw glasnost , perestroika and the d…

I raise the issue of Naas Mercy Convent Primary School. Many schools throughout the country and indeed in County Kildare are looking for new school buildings and new supports. This school is in the bizarre position of having a new building on site, already constructed. Due to a row with the contractor, developments broke down in 2020 and the building never opened. The children and teachers are in prefabs, looking at a brand new building right beside them but are unable to get access to it or use it. The Department …

It is complete. To date, €9 million has been spent. Money is now being spent on security and maintenance to manage and protect the building while the children go to school in prefabs across the yard from it.

Yes.

I wish to raise the issue of the Mercy Convent Primary School in Naas and to set out the sorry tale I have raised many times with the Minister, Deputy Foley. I want to put on record what has happened in this extremely frustrating situation. There are schools around the country, many in my own constituency, where boards of management, principals and staff are looking for a new-build project to be approved, to get funding or to advance. In this particular instance of the Mercy Convent school in Naas, there is a brand…

I thank the Minister of State for that commitment. I want the Department to go further, however. I appreciate there is only so much the Minister of State can say and do tonight. I thank him for the commitment to take the matter to the Minister, Deputy Foley. As he stated, I have discussed the matter with her on several occasions. I acknowledge her good faith on the matter but we need to see action, the letter of intent issued and the matter moved on. A separate issue relating to the school is that two years ago, it…

Do I lead the group?

I welcome the recent USC cuts in the budget. I am particularly interested in how many earners in County Kildare will benefit. The Minister might also give details on counties Wicklow, Meath and Louth. My colleague Deputy McGuinness is interested in counties Kilkenny and Wexford. I ask the Minister to give us a broad statement on this but I am particularly interested in Kildare taxpayers.

I may not require the full expanded time. I thank the Minister for the reply. I note the number of 1.6 million taxpayer units in the State and that a taxpayer unit can encompass a jointly assessed couple. I assume that if one were to apply a pro rata calculation by population, one could arrive at a reasonable estimate of the Kildare figures and those for other counties. I will do this. Kildare is a very industrious and highly populated county, with a high level of employment and enterprise. It is appropriate that t…

I welcome the report. The consultative forum was a very useful exercise and I am glad the Tánaiste and the Government initiated it. It was a very meaningful debate. Unfortunately, I was abroad on other committee business at the time it was held and was unable to attend, but I followed it closely and have read its recommendations. A view may have been expressed by some members of the Opposition earlier, which I have heard in the media since the report was published, that the consultation forum was a Trojan horse, wh…

Public transport is the main artery of our infrastructure. I represent the Kildare North commuter belt, as the Minister knows. Whether it is climate change, quality of life or avoiding gridlock, I think the many reasons for investment in public transport are self-evident. I want to reference Dart+ West and Dart+ South West, two projects that bring the Dart line electrification out to Maynooth on one line and Hazelhatch on the other. I would say they should go just that little bit further. The Dart+ West should go t…

I send my sympathies to the families of Kim Damti and Emily Hand, as the Tánaiste did at the start of this debate and my colleagues the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and Deputy Phelan also did. I agree with much, although perhaps not all, of what Deputy Phelan said. The first casualty of war is truth. Not surprisingly, it has become a casualty quickly, including in this arena today. I have lost track of the various accounts of the hospital bombing that happened last night. It was horrific. That hardly needs to b…

I too welcome the O'Farrell family to the Chamber and sympathise with them on the loss of their son. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms Lucia O'Farrell recently in Leinster House 2000 and we had a conversation about the case. It was all too brief, unfortunately, but I am mindful of it. I also want to recognise the work of my colleague, Deputy McGuinness, in continuing to highlight this over several years. I remember that debate in 2018 and 2019 well, when these Houses voted, as has been referenced already. Both House…

I want to ask about the plans for an artificial intelligence, AI, advisory council. I know there is an AI ambassador, Dr. Patricia Scanlon, already in place and she is doing good work. I understand, however, it is planned to roll out a council of sorts, and I wonder where progress is on that issue.