The Deputy has raised a very fair point. There could be evidence of some price gouging going on but, clearly, there is a broader issue of an increase in fuel prices, which is receiving the Government's active attention right now. I take the Deputy's point and do not disagree with the need to be vigilant to make sure price gouging is not occurring.

First, I refer to the reports of Paul Cunningham of RTÉ from the Polish-Ukrainian border. As a correspondent with experience covering a number of wars, he has said he cannot get over the comprehensive and very efficient response of the Polish authorities to an enormous migration of Ukrainians into Poland. Nobody would tolerate or accept any racism being applied to any migrants, but we have to be balanced on this. The Deputy said there is wholesale racism. I have to go by what people are saying who are on the ground…

There has been an extraordinary response overall to the crisis.

The Minister is meeting with the farm organisations. There will be a need to grow grass and make sure we have enough animal feed for next year. We will take no chances or shortcuts. There will be a very challenging environment ahead in terms of animal feed and global grain supply. It makes sense that we change tack in terms of our agricultural portfolio and, working in partnership with the farming organisations and farmers, that we do so in a measured and sensible way.

We have no death wish against anybody, particularly not the postmasters and post offices of Ireland. We are doing everything we possibly can to sustain and support them and will continue to do so.

Ní aontaím leis an Teachta go bhfuil sé maslach in aon chor. Tá an-chuid ama don Fhreasúra chun ábhair éagsúla a chur os comhair na Dála agus iad a phlé. Tá an seans sin ag na Teachtaí chomh maith leis sin. On International Women's Day, the imperative, for me, is that we build a modern maternity hospital that can cater for the women of Ireland, especially in the region the hospital will serve. The current hospital facilities are appalling. The debate has gone on for far too long. The consultants in the hospital, nu…

We are all very conscious of the impact of the war in Ukraine and various issues on fuel prices, the cost of home heating and, in particular, the cost of getting to work that is incurred at the petrol pump. The Government is keeping this under very active consideration, as I said earlier, and will continue to do so. On Racheal's journey from a war zone, it is good to witness the progress being made. We are in constant contact with Irish citizens, including Racheal.

I would have to give that some thought. Some equity release schemes are not the best sometimes for senior citizens. I would like to explore these issues further with the Deputy.

The Minister for Justice and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have published the audit on refuge spaces for women who are victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The work will commence very quickly on that. Of course, it will take time to design facilities and work with groups on the ground in given locations to bring about the construction and development of new public facilities.

That matter is under consideration by the Government. The Government is positively disposed to holding such a referendum. The timelines have to be discussed.

I will talk to the Minister responsible for that area to see what the specifics are. I am not au fait with the specific contracts.

My understanding is that it stands to be introduced in the autumn, in August or September. This is when the Minister envisages introducing it.

The matter is under active consideration by the Government in terms of the broader issue of the increased fuel prices.

The Government is actively considering an issue regarding fuel price increases; the Government has no interest in hurting anybody. The Deputy knows well these are international matters.

Shouting and roaring does not get the point across, in my view. Shouting and roaring the point does not make it right. The bottom line is that international circumstances have forced a very bad situation in terms of global oil and gas prices. We are dealing with it, we have dealt with aspects of it, and we are going to deal with it again.

As I said before, Cork Life Centre provides a very considerable service to a very important cohort of learners with a diverse range of needs whose individual requirements can be such that it can be difficult for them at times to be in mainstream education but who really flourish and develop well within the centre and under the supports available there. The centre plays a very important role in providing an holistic educational service. As a result of discussions, a package of support of €175,500 and 6,000 teaching …

That will then establish the longer term arrangements for Cork Life Centre in the context of a sustainable framework for out-of-school provision. The Department will continue to work with the staff and board of the centre, which is doing such excellent work for young people.

First of all, I wish to make the point that, already, very significant supports have been offered by Ireland as a member of the EU in the waiving of visa requirements and through the temporary protection directive, which gives residency to all Ukrainian women fleeing to Ireland with their children and assists them in accessing social protection payments, education, childcare and accommodation. The accommodation piece will be very challenging, as will education, in terms of the provision of interpreting and translat…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. The Civil Service management board provides collective leadership to the Civil Service renewal programme. The board is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and its membership consists of all Secretaries General of Departments and heads of major offices. The board meets, in general, once a month and the minutes of these meetings are available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform web page on gov.ie . The Civil Service renewal pr…

In the first instance, Deputy McDonald raised the issue of the accountability board. It has not met since 2016. In fact, two Governments have now passed and we need to reflect on what are the best accountability mechanisms in terms of civil servants more generally and otherwise. There are internal accountability mechanisms, of course, within the various pieces of legislation, such as the ministerial Act, that govern the role of the Minister and the role of Secretaries General in terms of accountability, benchmarkin…