I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of equine farming. A variety of items are available in the suite of seven measures under TAMS. I understand that grant aid is available for horse stocks under the animal welfare and nutrient storage scheme and the young farmer capital investment scheme. That said, I will talk to the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, about the issues the Deputy has raised this morning to see whether more can be done.

I cannot comment. I have not seen the letter, to the best of my knowledge, but I think-----

I am not saying I did not. I get thousands of communications on an ongoing basis. It is not appropriate for me to comment on something of which I do not have detailed knowledge.

We cannot engage in generalisations about An Garda Síochána or others.

I welcome the fact the Deputy has raised this issue. Obviously, movement and progress is needed on it. He said the diocese had acquired a new site. The most significant thing in terms of a new school is that the site has been secured. I will speak to the Minister for Education but the fact that the site has been secured facilitates the progression of the project. If one does not get a site, sometimes it can go on for far too long.

The most effective route to resolving these issues is for Russia to call off this war, de-escalate and end it and to withdraw from Ukraine. The European Union stands ready at all times in terms of a humanitarian response and to facilitate people, such as conscientious soldiers, who have no truck with this war and want to disengage. One will find that the European Union, through all of its agencies, will be facilitative and help out in that situation.

Which regulations?

The Bill has been passed. That is not the issue here-----

That legislation is on Second Stage in the Seanad and represents the most effective way in which we can respond to this very serious issue. In parallel with that are the ongoing programmes in education in terms of building up self-esteem and self-respect among children at the earliest ages. There are a variety of psychologically-informed programmes that can help children to withstand pressures both in-person in yards and so on when meeting other kids in social environments and now with the growing threat from onlin…

I have articulated our support for the acceleration of Ukraine’s membership of the European Union. I made it very clear that in respect of diplomatic channels, our primary concern is not the ambassador but rather Irish citizens who will need our assistance both in Ukraine and potentially Russia as well. We should not understate the seriousness of that in terms of helping people who right now are very vulnerable and need our assistance. We are getting representations from Deputies and Senators in respect of individu…

The first point I will make is that the retrofit scheme is very positive. It will provide very significant resources to households generally across the country in terms of insulation and reducing energy costs for ordinary people over time. It will take time to get to critical mass. A raft of protections have been introduced legislatively by the Minister, whom I will alert to this issue. I know he is aware of it and I will discuss it with him.

Bheadh an Rialtas sásta déileáil leis an gceardchumann ó thaobh na ceiste seo agus todhchaí na n-oifigí poist. Is léir go bhfuilimid sásta seirbhísí a leathnú amach. Mar aon leis sin, tá dúshláin an-mhór ann don todhchaí. Níl aon amhras faoi sin. Tá fonn orainn níos mó seirbhísí ón Stát a chur ar fáil, go háirithe in áiteanna iargúlta ar fud na tíre, agus táimid sásta déileáil leis an gceardchumann chun na ceisteanna sin a phlé.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. An extra €10 million was allocated for the passport service in the budget, which was an unprecedented investment in the service. Passport service staff numbers have increased by more than 300 since June of 2021 and additional staff will continue to be recruited, which will bring the staff numbers to more than 900.

No, it is not.

At the beginning of this month, the capacity of the passport service's public offices in Dublin and Cork increased-----

Is the Deputy going to listen?

I would if I got a chance.

I have nothing further to add.

The Deputy is not prepared to have a bit of common sense.

I will discuss that with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I hear the points the Deputy made in respect of that issue. The Minister is actively considering this and we are working on it.