I thank the Deputy. It is good to see Deputy Heneghan back safe and sound. Well done on your efforts.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness last met on 14 July and the next meeting is scheduled for 27 November. The membership comprises the Taoiseach; Tánaiste; Minister for Finance; Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, and for Transport; Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine; Minister for Enterprise, Tourism…

I thank all the Deputies who contributed. Deputy Malcolm Byrne was first out of the traps about the 11% of recommendations, which is quite low, implemented from the Draghi report. Ireland is already identifying the Single Market and some of the reforms in the Draghi and Letta reports for our Presidency of the European Union in the latter half of next year. We would like to see an acceleration of the implementation of the recommendations of the Draghi report because they are essential to European Union competitivene…

I would not be sentimentally returning to the 1980s as a model for the future. I just would not do that.

The population was much lower. There have been dramatic changes in Irish society in terms of population growth, economic growth, the challenge of climate and all of that. It is not as simple as presented. We cannot keep doing one-off budget packages forever. That seems to be the suggestion from the Opposition-----

-----that we should have a one-off package this year, a one-off package next year and so on. We just cannot continue to do that. Deputy O’Rourke raised an important issue. The qualifications issue pertains to some of the regulatory bodies in specific areas, namely the Medical Council, the Teaching Council – it may not like me saying this but I think it can be quite conservative – and some of the other bodies such as CORU. I have been in touch with the Minister for Health and the Department is moving on CORU. It say…

I am sorry, Deputy Conway-Walsh. I was just saying that renewable energy is the key and the green transition is the key. I accept her point. One of the issues we have is the over-reliance on fossil fuel, which is important on a number of fronts. Energy security is the key one, by the way. Everybody here is complaining about the decision to have an LNG facility. It would be utterly irresponsible if we do not develop that. My concern is the timeline to develop it because we have no back-up if anything was to happen t…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 24, inclusive, together. The programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs was established by the Government on 18 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union, including preparation of Ireland's Presidency in the second half…

I thank all the Deputies who have raised a variety of questions. Deputy Malcolm Byrne raised an important issue in terms of Russia's aggression against Europe. I attended an event in the United Nations, chaired by Prime Minister Carney and President Zelenskyy and their respective spouses, in respect of the 20,000 abducted children. Ireland will continue to provide support. I would like to be in a position to support certain research in respect of those children to get them back. It is an appalling crime. The Deputy…

Deputy Coppinger has a tendency to distort. There is nothing wrong with saying that young music followers who were abducted for no reason at all-----

I just want to make the point. Everything gets qualified and has a caveat. I make no apology for saying it is a good day that those hostages were released.

I did. I spoke about an end to the slaughter.

I have been saying this consistently. Check all of my remarks on social media. I am very strong on the genocide against civilians in Gaza and the slaughter of innocent children. Yes, there have been a lot of detainees without any trials or without any evidence. Others who were detained had history. Deputy Coppinger will never condemn Hamas for some reason. I have never heard her condemn Hamas in this room. I have never heard her condemn what Hamas did on 7 October.

Deputy Murphy has never condemned Hamas.

That is shocking and it deserves debate. You are attacking me for not having precision in terms of posts I put up.

I find it extraordinary that we do not have unanimity in the House in terms of condemnation of Hamas's appalling attack on-----

By the way, I have never moved on from Gaza and I do not intend to move on from Gaza. I visited Gaza in 2009 after that war. We have always been consistent as a country. The party I lead was the first party in Europe and in government to recognise the right of Palestinians to a homeland. It matters to our party. Let us not try to out-virtue each other here.

We will say what we feel.

We will say it in the context of our informed perspective and our evidence-based approach to these issues. To respond to Deputy Murphy on the occupied territories Bill, it is in committee. I have always repeatedly said in terms of services that we need to assess that. The Attorney General is coming back to us on a number of fronts - one is implementability, by the way. The feedback I am getting is it is not just implementable but, second, are you putting companies based here in a very difficult position through no …

I apologise.