People want a public inquiry.

It was done in conjunction with the O'Farrell family. The Tánaiste committed to a public inquiry. I am asking him will he stand by his commitment. The answer is clearly "No". That is shameful, quite frankly.

At the outset, I congratulate the New Popular Front, which was victorious in securing plurality in the recent French elections. In doing so, it did a great service for all of Europe in ensuring that Marine Le Pen and her cohort did not seize power. The recent Russian escalation in Ukraine, and particularly the brutal strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv, remind us all of the cost of war and who, ultimately, pays that cost. Recent events in Ukraine reinforce the imperative upon us to continually examine how best …

On a brief point of order, this is the second time that a motion calling for a public inquiry into the death of Shane O'Farrell has been passed.

I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — on 2nd August, 2011, Shane O'Farrell was killed while cycling home, when he was struck by a car driven by Zigimantas Gridziuska; — previously, Zigimantas Gridziuska came into Ireland with twelve convictions from Lithuania; — in August 2009, Zigimantas Gridziuska was granted bail in respect of a theft charge, and he committed 30 offences while on bail before killing Shane O'Farrell; — on 9th June, 2010, Zigimantas Gridziuska was convicted of four heroin offences, he was given…

Is there a copy of the script?

It was sent to the press.

The press are reporting on it.

The press were reporting on the contents of the speech before the Minister stood up, with the greatest respect-----

Hear, hear.

Please, the family are in the Gallery.

I thank all those Members who have contributed to the debate. I am deeply sorry that you were made to fight for so long that they went to their graves never knowing the truth. Today we say formally and without any equivocation, we are sorry. We failed you when you needed us the most. From the very beginning, we should have stood with you, but instead we forced you to stand against us. Any of us could utter those words to the O'Farrell family, but, in fact, those are the words issued earlier this year by the Taoisea…

The basis does not matter.

I thank the Minister for being here and warmly welcome Dan Brennan, his family and friends and representatives of the farm organisations. Some facts are in dispute but this is what we know. The Brennan family ran a successful farm that was considered to be top-notch by anyone who ever saw it. Then problems began to emerge at the same time as activities taking place in a nearby factory. Animals got sick. Milk yield dramatically reduced. Biodiversity was destroyed. Plant life was wiped out. As the output of the adjoi…

Will the Tánaiste confirm to the Dáil whether it is really the Government's intention to support today the reappointment of Ursula von der Leyen as the President of the European Commission considering her actions in supporting unequivocally the State of Israel in its ongoing assault on Palestine and grievous breaches of international law?

I find the Tánaiste's statement deeply cynical and worrying, to be quite frank. To say that Ireland and the EU have been well served by the Presidency of Ursula von der Leyen shows disregard for the seriousness of her actions in giving unequivocal cover for an unfolding genocide. Yes, Ursula von der Leyen did the right things on Brexit and, by and large, on Covid. However, what she did in greenlighting the blatant disregard for every norm of international humanitarian law of the UN Charter when she stood alongside …

The Tánaiste says that Europe is divided. Yes, there are two sides within Europe in respect of the approach to Palestine and Israel. There is the side that it is in full, unequivocal support of international law and there is the other side, which is represented by Ursula von der Leyen, that is willing to turn a blind eye to international law in a way that will have dire consequences for humanity in the years to come. However, what Ireland is doing today is turning sides and saying that we are going to support the n…

-----is deeply cynical and worrying. I worry that Ireland is picking a side-----

-----that is on the wrong side of history today.

I acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Passport Office staff, particularly at this time of the year. Will the Minister tell me the number of passport applications on hand for various lengths of time? What measures are his Department and the Passport Office enacting to ensure there is a speedy processing of all applications during these peak summer months?