I have an email the Deputy sent to the Ceann Comhairle's office yesterday, if that is of assistance.

Reserve Defence Force, RDF, personnel are an important part of the fabric of the Defence Forces. Concern was expressed in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces that less than one third of the RDF is considered to be operationally effective. Will the Minister make a statement on that matter? While I am on my feet, I will make a brief point. I heard Deputy Barry state that the Minister and the Government are committed to level of ambition 2, as set out in the commission's report. I absolutely salute that…

On the first point on the level of ambition, I welcome the Government's ongoing consideration of that matter. I note it has not been officially confirmed or decided yet and I encourage the Government to go to at least level 2. As the Minister said, the plan arose in the pre-Ukraine context and while many of us could see what was on the horizon globally, it is now beyond doubt. Some of those who opposed those plans used throwaway headline remarks, such as "Why does Ireland need fighter jets?" Another question I woul…

There is a very important place for the Reserve and it is important that we clarify that and give support and encouragement to those who serve.

I agree with the Minister and I note those comments. It is a difficult choice for the Government but it is a very important strategic one, given our position in the emerging global structures and the threats and challenges that prevail. It is time that Ireland stood up and took its place among the nations of the world. I wish the Minister well in those deliberations and he has my support.

The question concerns the instructors allowance in the Defence Forces, given the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, has made a submission advocating for its reinstatement. I know it was there historically but through various agreements, such as the Haddington Road agreement and so on, it was taken out at one stage. What is the view on its reinstatement?

I know the Minister is well aware of, and we have discussed in this Chamber and at the committee in the past, the issues of retention and the difficulties and challenges in maintaining the force, largely due to pay and remuneration and those bread-and-butter matters. The defence committee visited Haulbowline, the Curragh camp and other places, and we heard this from many front-line officers and personnel, who want to serve, are very proud to serve and enjoy their career, but are struggling to make ends meet. We are…

I am satisfied with the response for now. The Minister is engaging with RACO and I accept that.

I welcome the Bill and thank the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, for bringing it forward. I also thank the members of the justice committee, two of whom, Deputies Martin Kenny and Carroll MacNeill, are present, while others have contributed, for their work on this Bill. Shortly after the Oireachtas Committee on Justice was established, this Bill came to it for pre-legislative scrutiny. It might have been the first Bill to do so. We now see it on Second Stage in the House. I…

This question is on the implications of the recommendations of the small and medium enterprise task force and I ask the Tánaiste or one of his team to update me on the matter.

I am standing in for Deputy Devlin, who is as láthair at the moment with Covid, unfortunately. One of the items that was reviewed in the report was the export credit insurance scheme, and it is one I am particularly interested in. I believe that one of the deliverables of the task force is to look at ways to motivate the export journey for SMEs. I know the local enterprise centres have always had a focus on export growth as an opportunity for SMEs. However, there is an issue about the export credit insurance scheme…

Perhaps we can talk about export credit insurance on the second round. I acknowledge the Minister of State's and the Government’s support for the MERITS hub, along with others around the country. It is a particularly strong centre. It is quite a new development and received very strong support from Kildare County Council when it was launched. I want to credit Joe O’Carroll and all of the team who run the operation there. I visited it myself on a number of occasions when it was getting going. Now that is up and runn…

This question is to ask the Minister his plans for reform of PIAB, and if he will update the House on progress to date.

The Minister of State's reply contained some interesting ideas. I have also been reading some of his reports and statements on this issue of late. He is going in the right direction. This move towards alternative dispute resolution is very welcome. It makes perfect sense. I am surprised to see that some commentators have frowned on mediation for some reason. Mediation is always very sensible and usually reduces court costs dramatically by avoiding matters going to trial and full hearings, which is a far more expens…

I did suspect the Zalewski decision might be helpful. I noticed that the Minister of State said it may give rise to a challenge. Everything may give rise to a challenge, because that is the law. I again encourage the Minister of State to pursue this approach and to consider it. There is of course a constitutional right to appeal. A constitutional right of access to the courts is imperative and that is what an appeal body is for. Decisions of the WRC can be appealed to the Labour Court and those of the RTB can be ap…

I also welcome this Bill, which will bring about the major modernisation of the electoral system. I commend the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, for his sterling work on this matter since he took office. He has progressed this at pace with the Minister of State in his Department, Deputy Noonan, as well as members of his teams, including Kevin Dillon and others who have contributed significantly in the backroom to putting this legislation together. It is necessary legislation to modernise and reform the entire tape…

I am sure the Minister will be aware of the awful affliction that is Huntington's disease. It is a rare disease but in actual fact, it is all too common and extremely serious. It affects not only the individuals but their families in terms of care. As a genetic disease, it also tends to run in families. I acknowledge the work in my constituency of councillors Bernard Caldwell and Íde Cussen, who have been to the fore in campaigning on this issue and have brought it to my attention on a number of occasions. A Huntin…

I am delighted to see this motion coming through the House and being brought by the Government. I am speaking in support of it, as are my party and the Government. I have long raised questions in this Chamber and elsewhere as to the actions of certain states, particularly Russia. It is not so long ago that I was engaging with the Minister on the Russian elections, the treatment of Alexei Navalny and other opponents, and what I saw as an attack on democracy that played out in Russia. We saw similar activity in Belar…

My question is in regard to Cappagh hospital. The Minister and I have discussed this issue previously so I know that he is familiar with the situation with regard to children with spina bifida and the waiting lists, in particular at Cappagh hospital. I ask the Minister to tell the House what is being done in that regard.

I thank the Minister for his reply. I am aware that some funding has been channelled towards Cappagh and CHI in recent times. The families of children in this situation have been in touch with me, as I am sure they have been with the Minister and many others in this House. Their number one priority is to change the situation being faced by children who are waiting in some cases up to four years for surgery. The condition is sometimes by then inoperable because the child's condition has worsened to such an extent. T…