In fact, a whole litany of people, including politicians, solicitors, peace commissioners and others, can witness applications. Obviously, any of us would welcome anybody who needs that service into our offices. If we can be of help, we will try to oblige. I have several criticisms of the current process. The Oireachtas helpline was established to assist Members in making passport queries on behalf of constituents. While we were initially restricted to five calls per day, I must say that the service is used very ra…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who has been here on more than a few occasions to answer questions in regard to rare diseases and orphan drugs, and now this issue pertaining to the establishment of the medicines agency. As the Minister of State is aware, this is a commitment in the programme for Government. We are over two years into government and while I can probably guess the answer that has been given to the Minister of State, very little work has been done in this area. The purpose of the quest…

The real answer to my question was near the end of the Minister of State's response, when she said that "a significant body of work" needs to be undertaken and it will "require extensive consultation and primary legislation". Halfway through the life of the Government, if there is substantive work to be done, we really need to start doing it. That is the reality. If legislation and extensive consultation are needed, we are looking at needing a couple of years to do it when we are already halfway through the Governm…

When the British Government announced the possibility of rolling back on previous commitments surrounding the protocol it directly undermined not only political stability in the North but also Northern Ireland's economy at a time when we should be focused on getting the institutions back up and running and growing the island's economy. I have heard the word trust mentioned here repeatedly. Trust is a precarious thing. It is earned and is not a given. Unilateralism directly undermines trust. Diminished trust and fai…

I want to raise with the Tánaiste the issue of ASD classes. For every three ASD classes in primary school, there is only one at secondary level. There is a clear gap in service provision. A total of 90% of all students who begin in ASD classes remain in them for the duration of their education. Given this disparity and taking into account the comments of the Minister of State in recent days with regard to glaring gaps, what will the Government do? Is it high time that we legislated for ASD classes to be provided in…

As the time for the debate has now elapsed, we will adjourn it.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Deputy’s time is up.

I raise with the Tánaiste the issue of knife crime. Recently, not only in Dublin but right across the country, we have had a number of incidents that have led to a number of deaths. Last year, a number of colleagues and friends of mine in the Fianna Fáil Party met the family of Jennie Poole, whose case is well-documented. My friend, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, is bringing forward legislation to combat the issue of knife crime. What does the Government intend to do with that legislation?

Deputies Michael Collins, Richard O'Donoghue, Mattie McGrath and Carol Nolan are sharing time. I call Deputy Collins.

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 11 May 2022.

I need to be stricter on time. I have been fairly loose in that regard thus far. We will move on to Deputy Brady.

Thank you, Minister. We need to move on.

The Deputy must allow the Minister to reply.

I think we all feel like we have run a passport office-----

There are many in this Chamber who found it difficult to stand and applaud a foreign dignitary when he addressed this Chamber not so long ago. I am not one of those Deputies. The majority of Deputies on the Government benches are not either. That said, will the Minister outline any additional sanctions that are likely to be considered here in relation to Belarus?

Belarus's actions go back to, as the Minister mentioned in his response, the fraudulent presidential election in 2020. A number of sanctions were imposed at that time. Subsequently, their involvement in the war in Ukraine has led to further sanctions. I welcome all the measures that have been taken heretofore. I understand that we are working with our EU colleagues and partners on the six packages, as the Minister mentioned. I would implore him, as, in fairness, he has done in the past, to ensure that Ireland would…

The Minister voiced the sentiments I was going to finish on with regard to Belarus and its conduct. I hope the role it played in facilitating this war will not be forgotten, because it has facilitated it at every corner. It has facilitated the Russian regime by giving it a base for launching attacks and so forth. I also urge that its Government's actions not be forgotten when this sorry tale is finally brought to a conclusion. I hope people here do not forget the actions of those who have facilitated propaganda on …

Tomorrow in Cork and I think here in the capital there will be a march on behalf of parents of children with special educational needs and in terms of disability services and the lack of provision there. As a Government Deputy, I will be in attendance in Cork. Recently, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and I attended a meeting with the 12 principals of the special schools in Cork. Thankfully, the HSE and the Minister of State committed to reinstating all the therapist posts lost when the progressing disabili…

Will any additional supports be introduced to support families who are most impacted by the increases in the cost of living? It is opportune that this question follows that of Deputy Cahill, which skirted the same issue.