There are a whole range of constraints that govern aviation policy in terms of airports and so on.

The most important strategic investment in Waterford and the south east is the new technological university. That is the most important investment that will occur. It needs to happen, it will happen and it will be followed with investment.

The university is key in terms of leveraging more research investment, which it will. As a lifelong passionate advocate for education, higher education and research-----

The Deputy spoke about strategic investment.

I would differ from the Deputy in that I would put far more emphasis on the necessity for the university.

I propose to take Questions No. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on health oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to health, receives detailed reports on identified policy areas and considers the implementation of health reforms, including Sláintecare. The Cabinet committee last met on Thursday, 9 December. It is currently scheduled to meet next on Monday, 28 February. In addition to meetings of the full Cabinet and Cabinet committees, I meet with Ministers on …

Deputy McDonald again raised the issue of Ava Cahill and the orthopaedic situation. Government is responsible overall for the delivery of healthcare. The point I was making earlier was that the funding has been allocated. A figure of €5 million is not an issue. I want to make that clear. Since 2018, which was before I came into office, to be fair, an extra €9 million had been allocated each year to the HSE specifically for the funding of orthopaedic services. This additional funding supported the recruitment of app…

I have. On Deputy Calleary's point, the work on the stroke units was an important piece of work. Since stroke units came in well over a decade ago, they have been transformative in terms of the impact on survival from strokes, improvements and prevention. I heard the consultant on “Morning Ireland” this morning in relation to this. We will examine that audit. Those clinical strategies are the most effective in health. While they do not get the same headlines, they have proven to be the most effective way to improve…

I and many of the NGOs support intervening much earlier. I have dealt with Deputy Paul Murphy’s point in my response to Deputy McDonald. On Deputy Barry’s point, again the investment has been provided. Very often, this depends on how local management and regional management prioritise key services, as well as how they allocate the large funding that has been allocated to them. On Deputy Carthy’s point, the health service needs radical reform. The Department itself needs to be developed strongly. It needs to be the …

I have a lot of experience in health. I have been a Minister for Health. Regularly, in various Oireachtais down through the years, people raise health issues-----

This goes on all the time.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 15, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland was formally established by Government on 6 July 2020. It had its first meeting on 29 October 2020. The Cabinet committee last met on 4 March 2021. The meeting scheduled for Monday, 29 November 2021 had to be postponed. Relevant issues arising on Brexit and Northern Ireland are regularly considered at meetings of the full Cabinet. For example, after the meeting that was scheduled for 29 November 2021 …

In the first instance, I take Deputy Richmond's point. We cover the Brexit issue at the EU Cabinet committee as well and we have had meetings with the key Ministers and party leaders in the context of the EU and in respect of key moments for Brexit. I have met the British Prime Minister on the protocol issues specifically and made matters very clear. There was a very energetic engagement at the time of COP26 when there was commentary to the effect that Article 16 might be invoked. Our engagement was sustained acros…

The fundamental issues are identity. It came across in the meeting yesterday again. It is about identity. We need to accommodate different identities and have parity of esteem between different traditions on the island. That is why we have progressed the shared island initiative very energetically and strongly. It is an important initiative.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 20, inclusive, together. The Secretary General of my Department has responsibility for the effective management and functioning of the Department which operates at the centre of Government. The core activities of the Department are set out in the statement of strategy and include delivering the executive functions of the Taoiseach and Government and supporting me as Head of Government to carry out my duties and implement the Government's priorities over the coming period. My D…

Deputy McDonald raised a number of key issues in terms of memorialisation. There has been considerable engagement with survivors and former residents. Memorialisation is considered a very important part of the healing process for those affected and the State should progress the national memorial records centre. The Secretary General has chaired that group and funding has been secured. I intend to bring a memo to Government in the coming weeks in respect of this, with an overarching vision and a proposed approach fo…

I am sorry. On disability, I agree with the need for a more singular focus on disability. The Government took a decision to move disability out of the Department of Health and over to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth because it was felt that health was such an enormous area that disability was perhaps not getting a co-ordinated focus. The view was that we would move it. Disability is wide-ranging. I was involved in the area for many years as Minister for Education and Science …

Apart from the firefighting on a lot of issues that arise every day, there needs to be a fundamental paradigm shift in health. The Deputy and I can agree or disagree. The approach taken in relation to the HSE was the correct one; likewise with the Garda Commissioner and so on.

Agus duit féin.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Last week, I was asked similar questions on this and the most pressing demand, correctly, from Members of the Opposition and generally was for clarity and certainty for students as early as possible. Students were uppermost and of primary concern for Government in reaching its decision. The Minister, in her engagement with students and indeed with parents, teachers, school management bodies and others, was asked primarily by students to deal with and respond to four issues…