Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. A number of points were made by colleagues that I would certainly agree with. I agree with Senator Lombard about the implications for global food security. We are seeing rising grain prices on international markets, particularly in Turkey and the Middle East. I have concerns that half of the wheat used in Lebanon is imported from Ukraine, 22% of that used Yemen is imported from Ukraine, 43% of the wheat used in Libya comes from Ukraine and Egypt gets 14% of its wheat from Ukraine. Much …

I thank the Minister for coming here to take this issue. He is, on a personal level, deeply invested in addressing the questions of direct provision. This is not an either-or matter. He has shown that he is deeply committed to resolving this problem and that there is a compassionate response to an appalling human tragedy. I am extremely proud of the approach that the Taoiseach and the Government have taken at European level of being to the fore in ensuring that the toughest possible sanctions are levied against a w…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for taking this issue on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs. I am conscious she is busy today taking a lot of issues for other Departments. I have enormous respect for all officials within the Department of Foreign Affairs for the work they do and our ambassadors. My question is about how we appoint our ambassadors. At present, the recruitment of ambassadors is essentially through the ranks of the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is very rare for somebody who …

I thank the Minister of State. I certainly would encourage anyone to serve in a public service capacity. I note that the reply from the Department of Foreign Affairs avoids the question I asked. It does, however, make a very clear point in stating that when the Minister is considering an appointment, he will look at applicants' "management experience, regional knowledge, country knowledge ... language skills, policy experience" and so on. However, he only looks at those factors among a very limited pool of individu…

Deputy Leader, this afternoon, after 11 days, a boil-water notice was lifted for Wexford town and parts of the surrounding area. So for 11 days, including over the St. Patrick's holiday weekend, the people in and around Wexford town were not guaranteed to have clean water and a reliable supply. Other parts of the country have experienced the same problem and last year my home town of Gorey had a well publicised case of E.coli. Many of us have said that one of our biggest challenges in the housing field is making su…

I thank Senator Keogan and a number of other colleagues who organised a very successful coffee morning in aid of Ukraine earlier. The event reflected the enormous cross-party support for the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross and many others. This year marks 50 years of Ireland's membership of the European Union. In that context, I call for a debate on the future of Europe which also celebrates that milestone. Ireland's EU membership has allowed us to step out from the shadow of our nearest neighbour, to prosper…

Mine is the only party whose leader did not go to a private fee-paying school.

Dhá nóiméad an duine, le toil an Leas-Chathaoirligh.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach agus leis an Aire. Aontaím leis an Aire gur cheart dúinn Linda Ervine a mholadh as a cuid oibre. Chualamar óráid spreagúil uaithi an tseachtain seo caite. Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le mo chara Paula Melvin, uachtarán nua Chonradh na Gaeilge. Ba mhaith liom gach rath a ghuí uirthi, ar Julian de Spáinn agus ar an bhfoireann sa chonradh as a gcuid oibre. Fáiltítear roimh an gcinneadh gur teanga oifigiúil agus oibre de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh í an Ghaeilge an…

I thank the Minister of State for taking this question. Trade policy and import substitution is an area in which he has a strong interest. Today, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is meeting various farm organisations. One thing he will encourage is increasing grain production to help provide greater domestic food security. This is something that will be very welcome if it can be done and I am quite certain that our farmers and farm organisations can step up to the plate. The average person in Irela…

I thank the Minister of State for agreeing to that meeting. Most people in this country strongly support the sanctions we need to stand up to Russia. As the Minister of State said, it has consequences. One of the issues is the price of a loaf of bread. We all know the implications that will have, especially for those on low fixed incomes. It is important, therefore, that we give certainty of supply to any of our bakers in this country and we also look at import substitution. Brexit highlighted some of the problems …

Is Senator Hackett before me?

I am happy to-----

Like my colleagues, I wish everybody a very happy International Women's Day. I too will raise issues around the crisis in Ukraine. One thing we have seen in recent weeks is the great community spirit on the part of citizens and residents throughout the country who are volunteering to help out. We need to recognise their contribution. It is astounding to see those who are looking to help registering with the Red Cross. I also suggest we look at those who have holiday homes throughout the country. Such homes may be m…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, for taking this matter. He will be aware that the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, was established in 1954 as an international collaboration to advance human knowledge. The latest estimate is that more than 16,000 scientists from more than 110 countries have been engaged in CERN's activities. It is the world's leading particle physics laboratory and is an incredible engineering and IT project. During the entire Covid process we have learned about how i…

Listening to the reply that has been prepared for the Minister of State, I am reminded of the Oscar Wilde description of a cynic as somebody who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing. It is clear the Minister of State's response has been written by an accountant. It has not been written by somebody who appreciates the value of research. The Minister of State will appreciate, especially in the context of the battle against Covid-19, the importance of international collaboration in the area of resear…

I had an unusual experience last night. Last night, the Ukrainian ambassador addressed the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting. While she exhibited the full extent of her diplomacy, she also spoke very personally about the impact of what was happening in the democracy. As we know, this is about the battle of democracy versus autocracy. I was also conscious last night that Deputy Alan Kelly had stepped down as leader of the Labour Party. I extend best wishes to our friends in the Labour Party. We should apprecia…

The first issue I wish to raise is the Gorey Educate Together Secondary School. This was announced 18 months ago by the Department of Education and a temporary site was secured, with assurances that a permanent site would be identified. This was after a long campaign locally, with many arguing that the school was needed years ago, but we still do not have a permanent site. Despite several attempts to get confirmation from the Department, including through a Commencement matter in this House when I received assuranc…

Let us be very clear in response to the question Senator Craughwell has raised. This country has not chosen the side of Russia but is very much on the side of the Ukrainian people. We stand in solidarity with them. We also stand in solidarity, as the Minister of State said, with the ordinary people of Russia and Belarus. This is not their fight. In calling out Russia, we also need to call out the tyrant Lukashenko, whose regime has lasted for far too long. The Minister was correct in his remarks. The people we need…

We need to call out those members of the fifth column who are trying to operate within Irish politics. They have been getting away with it for far too long. They do not represent the Irish people. They are an embarrassment to the people of Ireland and they need to be called out.