TDs and Senators are free to make up their own minds on these matters. I will not be attending. I have a long-standing and prior commitment to attend the Christmas carol service in the seminary in Maynooth this evening and that is the event I will be attending. It is up to other people to decide what they want to do this evening. I restate my belief that the current crisis in Gaza is unbearable. The provision of more offensive weapons for Israel, Hamas or any other protagonist in this conflict is not part of the so…

Ireland deeply regrets the failure of the UN Security Council to agree a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the protection of civilians and compliance with international law, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and urgent humanitarian access. This resolution was co-sponsored by no fewer than 99 UN member states, yet it was not adopted as a result of the veto being used. The resolution had the support of 13 of the 15 members of the Security Council, including France, which is…

Tusla has an extraordinarily difficult job. The people who work in Tusla are very committed and do work which I think very few of us in this House would be willing to do. They look after children who have been abandoned and abused by their parents, have come to this country unaccompanied and have endured horrific neglect and abuse. It is totally wrong-headed to in any way try to blame the staff in Tusla or the agency for that. They are the ones trying to help the children who have suffered and experienced these thi…

Decisions regarding custody are made by the courts. Our courts act independently of Tusla and of the Government. The court hears both sides of the argument, hears the case and looks at the evidence, and-----

-----then it makes a decision. It is not the case that judges always make the right decisions.

Nobody always makes the right decisions but they do it on the basis of the evidence and arguments they hear.

I thank Deputies for their remarks. Deputies Doherty and Bríd Smith asked for a debate on health and raised the issue of health funding. The Cabinet approved a Revised Estimate for the health Vote earlier today. We are allocating an additional €92 million to health, which will include funding for new drugs in 2024 and for the fair deal scheme to make sure we do not see an increase in delayed transfers of care within our hospitals. That is in addition to the Supplementary Estimate agreed only a few weeks ago. Deputy…

-----on funding for the LDA. There will be additional funding to allow it to accelerate its programme, including important projects like Donore Avenue, for example, formerly St. Teresa's Gardens. The exact amount is yet to be determined. I assure Deputy McNamara that we are very keen to have the mayor of Limerick Bill enacted. We want to have the election in June. I believe the office will be a success. I want to make sure it is well funded, is a success and becomes an example for other counties and city regions to…

Adequate time will be provided for the debate. I am sure of that. I again point out to Deputies calling for debates on certain matters that the Opposition has at least two dedicated slots every week but that it did not choose to prioritise health this week.

There is not one.

The debate will be adjourned if it is not concluded.

Ireland wants the EU to utilise its influence on Israel and the proposal for targeted sanctions against violent settlers, as well as Hamas, is now a matter of discussion at EU level. On Monday at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the Tánaiste asked for the European Union to examine the EU Israel Association Agreement given the severity of the crisis in Gaza. However, any proposals to suspend the association agreement would require consensus or unanimity and the conditions for that do not exist.

I thank the Deputy and she is absolutely correct to say that comparisons are difficult to do from member state to member state, given the different costs of living and social services which are available. Obviously, education will remain available to children coming from Ukraine as will the provision of medical cards. There is an entitlement to social protection, once the 90-days in State-provided accommodation runs out, or, if they leave prior to the 90 days, that protection will also kick in. I do not think that …

I thank the Deputy. I think he is mistaken, or perhaps whichever NGOs are briefing him are mistaken, as we have called for a phase-down, followed by a phase-out, of all unabated fossil fuels. That is the position of the Irish Government and indeed of the European Union, which the Minister, Deputy Ryan, is advancing in Dubai as we speak. We would have to look at any treaty. I have not seen this treaty. I have been lobbied about it, but nobody has produced to me a copy of this treaty. Generally, when it comes to any …

I thank the Deputy. I had an opportunity to visit Leitrim village yesterday and witness at first hand the damage done by the tornado. Having visited many places that have experienced a disaster, it was more reminiscent of an explosion than what you would expect to see from flooding, for example, or other events. It was discussed briefly at Cabinet today but there was no memo. What will be in place for the people in Leitrim is exactly what was in place for the people in Wexford, that is-----

It is the following-----

It is the following three things: the humanitarian scheme that is being opened by the Department of Social Protection, and community welfare officers were there yesterday; microfinance, a loan for business people until the insurance comes through-----

-----and, finally, additional funding for the local authority for any repairs that may be necessary to the public realm. Those are the three things in place for both Leitrim and Wexford.

I thank the Deputy. I understand this is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. It is a Revenue interpretation. I will let the Minister for Finance know the Deputy raised it and ask him to respond to the Deputy directly.

I thank the Deputy, who has raised a number of important issues. It would not be right to make commitments on the floor of the Dáil, but I will certainly speak to the Minister for housing about the matter and ask him to get back to Deputy Pringle directly.