I thank Senator Carrigy for the opportunity to provide an update on St. Joseph’s hospital, Longford and compliment him for his advocacy with the regard to the hospital. The Government has delivered unprecedented levels of investment in our health services in recent years. There should be no doubt that investment in health has been a substantial priority for this Government. In just three years, the net core allocation for our health services increased from €17.9 billion to €22.8 billion - almost €5 billion more or …

I again acknowledge the work of Senator Carrigy in this area going back to his work with the former Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, in securing that location for this project. I will raise the issue of the minor injury clinic with the Minister for Health and the timelines for delivering the project, which are very important for the people of Longford.

I might read my contribution first and then try to attack some of the questions.

No. I thank the Deputies for their statements and questions. I will address the issues that were discussed at the June European Council meeting. Two decades on from the Thessaloniki summit declaration, EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the western Balkans and stressed their need to spur reform across the region and accelerate merit-based EU accession. Regional stability, underpinned by improved neighbourly relations, is critical to that prospect. In that context, leaders condemned recent violence in norther…

We are not part of Frontex. That is an external border.

It is part of the European Union, but each country has its own agreement with Frontex and it is with regard to external borders. I am not aware of funding we are providing to it but I will check that point.

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves Ireland's participation in four European Defence Agency Projects: i) Category B Collaborative Procurement of Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Equipment, ii) Category B Collaborative Procurement of Soldier Equipment, iii) Category B Collaborative Procurement of Ammunition, and iv) Category A Military Computer Emergency Response Team Operational Network (MICNET), pursuant to section 2 of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. In commending this motion to…

I thank the Deputies for their comments and their contributions to the debate. The primary function of these projects is to develop and maintain capabilities necessary to enable our personnel to fulfil their roles as laid down by Government. I have highlighted the importance of supporting our defence forces in capability development, and it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure they are afforded the opportunity to keep abreast of best practice in the defence environment. As I said in my opening contribu…

Regarding the many binary threats that our State now faces, Deputy Carthy made several contributions in the forums that will be taken into the recommendations. It is important that we have a proper discussion on these issues and we are fulfilling our requirement here. As I said, I am a very proud supporter of our position as a neutral country, but in no way can I or any Government countenance a position where our troops would not have the necessary equipment to protect themselves against these threats. It is only r…

I addressed it in my opening speech in terms of the 2009 Act.

I did.

It is because it is a requirement.

The Deputy is out of order.

It is good the Deputy has admitted it anyway.

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and the Deputies for their statements. I will focus my remarks on the EU, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, CELAC, Kosovo, Tunisia and Cyprus. The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, CELAC, is a regional organisation with 33 member states. The EU-CELAC summit is planned for 17 and 18 July and will be the first meeting at leaders level of the EU Spanish presidency. The EU is currently aiming to significantly increase our engagement with the countries …

I acknowledge the Senators’ comments in regard to our Civil Defence volunteers, who are the first responders at many events in our community and do tremendous work. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, we saw the exceptional work they carried out during that period. It is a time that really hit hard among volunteers because training was not happening at that time. It is important we increase our force again. There are some 2,500 volunteers in the sector and there has been a 20% increase in the budget th…

On behalf of the Government, I welcome the report Lessons from the Architects of the Good Friday Agreement. The report is an important and timely contribution to our understanding of the agreement and the roles played by so many in shaping peace on our island. Marking and celebrating the agreement and everything it made possible is a key priority for the Government in this milestone anniversary year. We have delivered a range of events both at home and abroad to that end, and I am very glad that the Oireachtas has …

I thank all Members for their contributions. I acknowledge once again the significant work undertaken by the Cathaoirleach, Deputy O’Dowd, and all members of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in producing this comprehensive and timely report. Through their engagement with political leaders from the British and Irish Governments, Northern Ireland political leaders, civil society, civil servants and advisers, they have pulled together many different threads which contributed to th…

I too extend that welcome to our guests. I am pleased to present the Bill to the House on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. The purpose of this relatively short but important Bill is to modernise and reform the current legislative basis for the Civil Defence organisation. There is a requirement to do this because the existing regulatory framework, comprising enactments dating from 1939 to 2012, no longer provides a comprehensive statutory basis for Civil Defence matters. Civil Defence was established…

I thank all the Members of the House who spoke for their constructive contributions to this debate. I wholeheartedly agree with all of the words of support and encouragement from all sides of the House regarding the Civil Defence. I am pleased to bring this Bill before the House on behalf of the Tánaiste. As I stated in my opening remarks, although it is a relatively short Bill, it addresses some important matters concerning the Civil Defence and its work. Before commenting on the Bill itself, I recognise the conti…