I thank all Deputies for raising the various issues in the context of this group of questions. On Deputy Boyd Barrett’s question, it is my view that there should be a citizens’ assembly in relation to all aspects of neutrality. In the first instance, however, we have committed to citizens’ assemblies on education and drugs. We will be examining the timeline around a citizens’ assembly on neutrality. We have to get Government agreement on that. Conscious of the war in Ukraine, it is my view that we should try to mai…

I have been a strong outspoken critic-----

I did not interrupt the Deputy. He should allow me to respond.

I am not getting into a league table. The Deputy deliberately intervened so as not to allow me to follow through on what I was about to say.

My point is that I have consistently been an outspoken critic of Israeli Government policy in respect of Palestine. Ireland as a country has consistently called out, to use the Deputy’s phrase, the constant and consistent violation of agreements already reached on Palestine. Our view is that the Palestinian people have a right to a homeland. We believe in a two-state solution to resolve this long-standing, historical conflict, with two states that go back to the 1967 borders. We have been very strong and proactive …

He never mentions it, for whatever reason, because it does not suit the anti-European Union perspective that he has. The Deputy never does. He always has to be reminded. He talks about consistency of approach and consistency of standards. What amazes me from time to time, from certain parts of the opposite side of the House, is the complete lack of any acknowledgement of the fact the European Union represents the most significant supporter and benefactor of Palestinian humanitarian causes, of UNRWA and so on. That …

What I have said is that the Government has condemned this appalling murder of a journalist and also the continued violation of basic human rights in terms of the Palestinians' freedom of movement and so forth.

Deputy Ó Murchú legitimately raised the issue of drug abuse. I accept fully the shocking impact that drug abuse has on communities, as well as organised crime. The Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, has commenced preparations for the citizens' assembly on drug use, which Deputy Bacik also raised. This has been done to ensure that there will be no delay in establishing the citizens' assembly on drugs when the two assemblies that are currently operating complete their work before the end of this year or, at the lates…

The one thing that undermines public debate on this issue is honesty of approach. I genuinely say we need honesty and we need a full focus on the facts. We should not play politics with this because it is too important. It is too important for women's health and for premature babies who will be born into the future and need a first-class neonatal facility. That is what the new hospital will do. It will go from 35 neonatal beds to 50 and there will not be the same confinement that we have in the current hospital. Th…

-----but there is only so much nonsense that can be accommodated here in respect of the ownership question. The ownership is not an issue here. If Deputy McDonald does not listen to me, that is fine, but listen to the senior midwives at the hospital, who have asked all politicians, Government and Opposition, to listen to the clinicians in the hospital. I have the letter here from the senior midwives of the National Maternity Hospital, who are very clear that future service users require and deserve state-of-the-art…

-----but the bottom line is this: it is not our land and never was our land. We now have a gift of the land, essentially, for 300 years at a tenner a year. That is the reality. Deputy Cullinane understands leasehold too. He knows damn well what I am saying is the truth. What I am saying is the truth-----

-----but for politics and for fighting other battles-----

Other battles are being fought here through this hospital issue. I am concerned and focused entirely on women and premature babies who will be born in the future.

They need the best healthcare we can give them. This is the best opportunity we can take to give them that.

The bottom line is that it is ownership by the State of this hospital. The Deputy just refuses to accept that and is creating an issue that does not merit the prioritisation she has given it in the context of this debate. A 300-year lease at €10 a year is ownership by any other name. That is a fact. Anybody who understands anything about property law knows that. The real issue is this. The Deputy has identified instances in terms of investment in healthcare. We want to make investment. This Government has been in p…

-----and all of the legal guarantees that are there in terms of clinical, financial and operational independence of the hospital. Deputy McDonald knows all of that but it suits the Opposition to delay this project, it seems at this stage.

I do not know, other than politics. The Deputy is playing politics with every issue that comes before the House. Whatever the issue, she just wants to weigh up how she can undermine the Government of the day.

It does not even have to be the maternity hospital. She cannot have it both ways all of the time.

We have to get moving. We should get the hospital built. It is the best thing to do and we have the guarantees to underpin it.

It is.