I have put on the record of this House on a number of occasions that when the passport service works, it works incredibly well. We have all heard people describe their surprise with the speed at which a renewed passport in particular arrives through their letterbox. At the same time, we have to acknowledge that there are incidences where there are problems. The particular issue about which I am contacted, as, I am sure, are TDs across the House, is when an honest mistake is made. It usually relates to either a phot…

Everybody values the Irish passport. It is one of many people's most prized possessions, particularly those who have had to leave our country and move elsewhere. It is a source of pride to display the passport with the harp anywhere in the world and see the value that is attached to it by others. It is also an entitlement of every Irish citizen to have a passport, and there is a responsibility on the State to provide one. As I have acknowledged, for most people particularly when it comes to renewals the experience …

Has the Tánaiste tried to make an appointment?

It is phenomenal, but the chief prosecutor of the ICC has indicated that he is seeking arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and the defence minister of a state, namely Israel, with which we have preferential trading, economic and diplomatic relationships. What actions will Ireland take in the event that the court issues those arrest warrants for the aforementioned ministers?

I welcome the Tánaiste's response. He will know that I have been somewhat sceptical and concerned about the apparent slowness of the ICC investigation into what has happened in Gaza in comparison with the apparent haste with which other investigations have proceeded, particularly to the point where arrest warrants were issued. I agree with the Tánaiste's remarks regarding the need to respect the independence and impartiality. I also agree with him in the context of condemning any threats against the court or its of…

Do I need to clarify what I was about to say?

Obviously, there are arrest warrants for individuals-----

-----but for those who are protecting those people, would there be implications from an Irish perspective?

These are challenging times and the ICC faces a challenging situation. It also must be a challenging time for the European Union. I do not know if the EU has ever had a preferential association arrangement with a state whose civilian and military leadership are the subject of ICC arrest warrants. The question has to be asked of European and, indeed, Irish leaders as to how it came to pass that we would have these types of preferential arrangements with a state in respect of which the ICC, reluctantly perhaps, is ad…

It has some record of selling them off as well.

You have only wasted 13 years.

It has been 13 years since Shane was killed.

I thank the Minister of State for her opening statement. I do not know whether I have had an opportunity to wish her well since her new appointment but if not I do so now. I acknowledge that accession conferences have been held or are ongoing with Moldova, Ukraine and Montenegro. It is the right of states and the people of those states themselves to decide what the wherewithal of their ambition for membership of the EU should be. The people of these states have clearly indicated they want to be part of the European…

Several times, I have raised the Government’s failure to adequately provide services for children with special needs in County Monaghan. Many families are in crisis because of the lack of services. In Monaghan, we have no overnight respite care and no special school, we have a shortage in occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, and we have lengthy delays in assessments of needs. I understand that the Taoiseach will be in County Monaghan tomorrow. I know that a request has been made by families of chil…

There is no logical basis for a wholesale opt in to the EU asylum and migration pact. Ireland has opt-outs for a reason. We are an island nation divided into two political jurisdictions, one of which has been forced out of the EU; our nearest neighbour has left the EU; and we are a part of a common travel area. Future Governments will need flexibility to deal with future challenges. What the Government is proposing to this House is that it will tie the hands of this State to meet those challenges. How many times in…

You are a liar.

The Tánaiste is telling lies in the Chamber.

Irish neutrality is a strength. It underpins our contribution to peacekeeping and diplomacy and allows Ireland to play a positive and constructive role in conflict resolution. We should be proud to say that Irish neutrality is a strength. Others have attempted to portray neutrality as a weakness. I put on the record of the House that it absolutely is not. Fine Gael has always been among that cohort. Twenty years ago it produced a playbook on what it called moving beyond neutrality which sets out a series of steps a…

I have raised previously the atrocious condition of local roads across rural communities including in my county of Monaghan. Local roads are in the worst state seen in decades because the Government has underfunded councils. It now appears that rather than addressing the shortfall at a time when the Government is increasing fuel costs, we have been told by industry that TII plans further unexpected cuts to road projects. It seems the Government hoped this news of cuts would be kept under wraps until after the local…

That is not what it is telling the industry.