I will ask the Minister about that and revert to the Deputy on it. I appreciate that the Deputy has raised the issue of where the legislation is right now and how soon we can expect the heads of the Bill.

I appreciate the points the Deputy has made. I have come across a case or two as well in which some very surprising manifestations of what he has been articulating for quite some time have been very evident, so his points are well made and valid. The challenge is how, in the context of the separation of powers, one legislates and provides for matters of this kind.

The Deputy raises a very fair point. I am very conscious of the situation in Youghal, where two out of the three hotels are now used for Ukrainians or those seeking international protection under the Geneva Convention. The Government is very aware of the need for balance. It is also aware of the need for tourism, particularly in towns such as Youghal for which tourism is a key industry given the historic closure of many manufacturing enterprises of previous eras. Because tourism is important to the town, it has to …

Deputy Shanahan's detailed analysis of Cork development is always appreciated. If he could communicate it to Cork local media, it would be helpful.

It would be an extraordinary feat if the Minister for Finance could manage to go to Waterford this week and bring a runway under his arm. I will speak to him about the issues involved. There has been significant development in Waterford, and the economy there has improved greatly over the past three years.

I take Deputy Shanahan's point, but in terms of foreign direct investment into Waterford and domestic industries developing, it is a different story. In this regard, I refer to the investment in the quays by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, by means of the urban regeneration and development fund.

There has been a huge commitment to Waterford. Sometimes Deputy Shanahan has to balance it with the positives as well.

There is also the increase in employment. The aviation world has been challenging, not only in terms of Covid but also developments across different parts of the country.

Actually, Dublin is dominating aviation.

Deputy Ó Murchú said that he had tabled questions to the Minister for Health.

I presume the Minister will provide detailed replies to him. The objective of the Government and the NAS is in line with protocols to get ambulances to people as quickly as possible. Deputy Ó Murchú indicated that the service that was eventually provided was excellent. I ask Deputy Ó Murchú to give me the details of the case and perhaps forward them to the Minister for Health also.

I thank Deputy Wynne. I also want to articulate my sympathies to the family of the late Tras Honan. She was an outstanding parliamentarian who was very proud of her roots and background. She was a force of nature in the Houses and her parliamentary party. Perhaps there will be an opportunity in the Seanad to pay a more meaningful and detailed tribute to her work at an appropriate time. I am aware of the schemes referenced by Deputy Wynne. They have been raised previously by many Deputies in the House. The Minister …

We have made strong progress on offshore wind. A major Government policy to help deliver Ireland's ambitious climate energy targets is the auction-based renewable electricity support scheme, RESS, through which grid-scale renewable electricity generation projects compete to receive a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate. More than 1 GW and 1.8 GW of new wind and solar generation were secured in the first two RESS auctions. Ireland is on track to reach 6 GW of grid-connected renewables by the end of 20…

This is an issue we have been committed to in terms of the continued support for the health, personal and social service needs of Irish thalidomide survivors. A confidential facilitation process on a range of issues relating to thalidomide commenced during my term as Taoiseach and has continued. Progress was being made on significant aspects in this regard, which we are currently implementing in conjunction with survivors. Regrettably, progress on other matters has not advanced as we had hoped. Alternative channels…

The aircraft noise competent authority, ANCA, is the noise regulator. It was established under the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019. Its statutory functions include monitoring the impact of aircraft noise, assessing proposals for development at Dublin Airport and regulating for the management of aircraft noise. In 2022, ANCA defined a noise abatement objective, NAO, for Dublin Airport to manage the effects of aircraft noise emissions on the surrounding communities and environment at the airport. …

I propose to take Question Nos. 144 and 146 together. I thank the Deputy for tabling these questions. I want to start by offering my condolences to the families of the three people who were killed in a terror attack in Jerusalem this morning. I unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism. I also want to offer my condolences to the families of the two children killed in Jenin yesterday during an operation by the Israeli security services, which I also condemn. Ireland has been consistently clear that the protection …

I think the Deputy's presentation, frankly, is politically dishonest. He says the world and the global south are watching and accusing us of double standards. They do not accuse Ireland of double standards at all. I have met representatives of all the Arab states in the region and I have met those from African states. Whenever it comes to talking about the Middle East, they make an exception for Ireland's position and that of a number of other member states. It is not fair to say what the Deputy said. Those countri…

I want all the violence to end. That is why I went to Israel. It was not only to help to get Irish citizens out of Gaza, who at that stage had not left. It was also to speak directly with the Israeli Government and say we believed a humanitarian ceasefire was the only way and to put our point of view. We also went to other states and to Ramallah in the West Bank. Members of Deputy Carthy's party attacked me wholesale for going to Israel.

You did. Not Deputy Carthy personally, but his party did. The Deputy should go through it - the party's councillors, TDs and everyone did. I was accused of complicity and whatever. Suffice it to say we both agree on the need for this war to end. As I said earlier, it would be unconscionable for the war to resume. Too many lives have been lost, including those of too many innocent civilians. The International Criminal Court is there. Sinn Féin also misrepresented that two or three weeks ago. The prosecutor is on the…

Ensuring the safe exit from Gaza of all Irish citizens who wish to leave, and their accompanying dependants, is a priority of the Government. From the beginning of the crisis, I worked tirelessly to facilitate the necessary clearance from the relevant authorities for Irish citizens to exit Gaza, together with the family members accompanying them. Throughout October and November, I spoke personally by phone with foreign ministers from across the region. In these calls, I underlined the situation of Irish citizens in…