Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Beidh mé ag caint leis an Aire, an Teachta Calleary, faoi sin anois. Tá an Teachta ag rá go bhfuil sé i bhfad níos costasaí do na scoileanna ar na hoileáin a bheith páirteach sa scéim seo. Ní raibh sé sin i gceist againn. Le cúnamh Dé, beimid in ann é sin a réiteach sula i bhfad. Ardóidh mé an cheist leis an Aire, an Teachta Calleary.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I will discuss this with the Minister for Education. As the Deputy knows, the school transport system has its anomalies and complexities. I will see what we can do in respect of that. I fully share his view that public transport can reduce emissions through the replacement of cars, and his commitment to the climate change aspect of this is welcome. More fundamentally, however, I think he wants to get a bus for the kids. I will talk to the Minister. There are issues, as the …

I accept fully that community and voluntary health and social care workers in section 39 organisations are the backbone of essential services. The State depends on them to deliver critical support to people across the country every day. I welcome the fact that talks reconvened through the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, yesterday for organisations funded under sections 39, 56, 10 and 40, with some progress having being made. As the Deputy referenced, these talks have been adjourned at the request of the WRC un…

I know what it is all about. The programme for Government commits to working with the voluntary sector to progress this issue.

Ní aontaím in aon chor leis an Teachta. Go háirithe, níl aon bhaint ag an gcinneadh seo atá tógtha ag an Rialtas lenár bpolasaithe i dtaobh ár neodracht mhíleata. Níl aon bhaint aige leis in aon chor. Tá sé in am dúinn an triple lock a chur ar leataobh agus as seo amach, nuair a bheidh an reachtaíocht imithe tríd an Dáil, beimid i gceannas maidir leis an gcinneadh atá á dhéanamh againn ó thaobh ár saighdiúirí. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. He will be aware that in my previous capacity as Mini…

I have heard the Deputy suggest from time to time that we have a referendum to insert into the Constitution a clause dealing with neutrality. Sinn Féin has never published any suggested wording, any suggested definition-----

-----in respect of the type-----

I did not interrupt the Deputy. With respect-----

I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Here we go again.

There is a reason I am putting the-----

There is a reason I am putting the question.

I do not think there is any need to answer anymore.

First, I reject what the Deputy has said. Is léir gurb í an ghéarchéim aeráide an ceann is tábhachtaí atá os comhair na Dála seo. Táimid sa Rialtas ag déanamh gach aon iarracht déileáil leis an bhfadhb sin agus tá sé sin le feiscint ón méid infheistíochta atá curtha isteach againn i bpolasaithe éagsúla a bhaineann leis an ngéarchéim aeráide. There is no resiling or rowing back from our commitment to addressing the issue of climate change because it is existential to our society and the world at large. We are absolu…

The Deputy seems to have deliberately used the upper range. It is from €8 billion to €26 billion.

It is highly speculative and highly uncertain about what will transpire. I listened to the authors this morning. Suffice it to say, the Government is committed to achieving our targets. It will be very challenging, because as soon as we move on any one of them, different elements of the Opposition will oppose some of the measures we have announced and taken. A huge retrofitting programme is under way and our public transport usage is up 25%. We are fully committed to all the public transport initiatives we committe…

They may be looking for a bypass too.

First, Ireland has distinguished itself in the peacekeeping missions that have been deployed all over the world. We pay tribute to members of Óglaigh na hÉireann for discharging their duties honourably and with great professionalism. They are much sought after in trouble spots across the world because of that professionalism and commitment. I will put that on the record. Second, Ireland is very committed to multilateralism. I have been honoured to address the United Nations, and its various forums, on a number of o…

That does not add up. It is completely in conflict. Both principles do not align at all. It is because of how Russia has been performing - others maybe put particularly Russia, and this did not just start with the invasion three years ago - that I cannot in conscience stand over a situation where we would say Russia should have a veto over whether Irish troops participate in peacekeeping missions.

Looking at the influence of the Wagner Group in the Sahel in Africa, providing security to rogue and puppet regimes, are we really saying that is the country that should veto whether we participate in peacekeeping or not?