Will the Minister meet them outside?

The question was asked.

I came in here-----

It is too late.

Listening to Government representatives over the course of this debate, I am minded to think that there are some who believe that delivering for rural Ireland is about photo shoots and glossy brochures, none more glossy than the Our Rural Future document itself. I recall when it was launched to much fanfare that it was described by Government as the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in decades. It has become the most ambitious and transformative PR opportunity for Government in many y…

The Government has insisted there is "no hidden agenda at play" or prejudged outcome on the consultative forum on security and defence. These are the words the Tánaiste used in this House on 18 May. In the following Sunday's newspaper editions, however, we were told that the three Government party leaders had reached a consensus that the triple lock mechanism that underpins Irish neutrality is to go. Today, the Taoiseach said that the Government is giving strong consideration to joining a NATO mission off the Irish…

I have raised the issue of respite services for children in counties Cavan and Monaghan on several occasions. It is the most frustrating issue I have to deal with. My frustration is nothing compared to that of the families affected by the systemic failure to provide their children with the respite services they need. On 15 February, I had a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities. In that debate I highlighted the fact there were no respite services for children in County Monaghan and …

I support this amendment and urge the Minister to support it. The amendment itself is fairly simple, but it goes to the heart of a debate that has been going on for a number of years. I have recounted that I have followed this Bill from its very inception, because I was part of the deliberations at the European Parliament and trilogue discussions in respect of the EU directive on unfair trading practices. As has been recorded in this House on a number of occasions, I voted against it on the basis that I did not thi…

This goes to the heart of the Minister's position on all these things. To take him at his word, his remarks would suggest an appropriate mechanism to deal with anti-competitive practices is already in place. That is not the experience that was conveyed to us by every farm organisation and farmer we met. Deputy Kerrane is 100% right in respect of the entire debate around the beef protests and the wider and larger antagonisms within the agriculture community, particularly in terms of how farmers are treated by what t…

Is the Minister happy it is being done?

Is the Minister happy that anti-competitive practices are being addressed?

Is the Minister happy with the situation as it stands?

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Sinn Féin’s vision is for Ireland to play a constructive role in the wider world and to be committed to diplomacy, humanitarianism, peace building and co-operation with other states on global challenges including poverty, world hunger, climate change, conflict resolution and migration. An independent foreign policy and military neutrality are crucial to allow Ireland to play that important role in the wider world. We should be proud of our military neutrality and resi…

We, on the other hand, want Ireland to lead the way. We want to rebuild our Defence Forces so we can protect our neutrality, defend and monitor our skies and seas, and protect ourselves from modern threats including cyberattacks and hybrid attacks. We want to give our Defence Forces the respect they deserve so they and our diplomatic corps can continue to be missionaries of a small nation that makes a big difference for the better all over the world. We want Ireland to be a voice against oppression, poverty and war…

It is the wrong question the Minister is answering.

Will the Tánaiste outline the current capacity of our Defence Forces to ensure the territorial integrity of Irish airspace? Will he outline the details of any arrangements we have with other states to enter Irish airspace for military or defence purposes?

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Tánaiste. It is on that last point I would like to have a supplementary answer because it would be deeply disappointing if, through a court action, the High Court was to hear before this House what particular arrangements are in place with other states. The Tánaiste stated the Government does not comment on these types of arrangements, which he termed national security arrangements, but his predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, did. He told the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs a…

Can the Tánaiste outline when and how the Government last secured legal advice that every arrangement was indeed in line with the constitutional provisions?

A Cheann Comhairle, I have to dispute that, what I am asking is in relation to-----

I am not suggesting that we would at all.