No, we do not.

We hope to end it.

Everyone accepts that.

The Taoiseach is happy enough with the timeline.

This is not the first interaction I have had with the Minister in the past while but I do not think I have welcomed her back to the House, so I do so now. She now has one of the most difficult jobs anyone has ever had, not to mention the difficulties that relate to ministerial office. There is general agreement across the House regarding the fact this legislation is necessary, given we are about to hit a cliff edge. Even so, it was pointed out by some of my colleagues, and we have proposed amendments relating to th…

It goes without saying that there are many issues relating to the British Government at this time. There are the ongoing issues of the protocol, the amnesty legislation, the delivery of Acht na Gaeilge and the DUP's boycott of North-South meetings, the last of which presents legal questions. It is difficult to see how the cul-de-sac in which unionism finds itself will be exited without the British Government making a final decision. I welcome some of the positivity we are hearing from Maroš Šefčovič and that which …

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the global 16 Days campaign. One of central themes of this year’s campaign is the demand for an end to gender-based violence in all workplaces. Ireland has yet to ratify the International Labour Organization, ILO, Convention 190, which commits the State to ending violence and harassment in the world of work. Does the Taoiseach know when his Government will ratify this convention? There is also an outstanding commitment to deliver domestic violence paid leave for victims. Vict…

Last week, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage recommended 1,720 structures of architectural heritage to Dublin City Council for inclusion on the record of protected structures. It appears the Moore Street terrace did not make the cut despite a recent planning observation by the Minister's officials. It is their view that many of the existing buildings, in addition to the national monument, are capable of refurbishment and adaptation and they have recommended to Dublin City Council that it shoul…

What about the relatives' plans?

I ask the Minister to provide an update on the status of flood relief measures for County Louth, particularly the plans under the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme to deal with Dundalk, Blackrock, Ardee, Termonfeckin, Annagassan, Carlingford, Greenore, Drogheda and Baltray. I am seeking a complete update on as much of this as possible. I accept that consultants have been appointed and that an element of work has been done.

I appreciate the comprehensive answer. In fairness, my first question was going to be in respect of the timeline for the reassessment of Termonfeckin and Annagassan but the Minister of State has indicated it should be completed within 12 months. All present accept the necessity of these mitigations. Louth is very much an exposed county. Where I live in Dundalk is reclaimed land. Given the circumstances in which we now find ourselves, on a personal basis, I, along with many of my neighbours, would benefit from havin…

I appreciate that. If the Minister of State could provide me with a reply in writing, that would be brilliant. I am finding it difficult not to agree with him on the fact that the work that needs to be done is necessary and is all happening too slowly. I will try to avoid repeating myself. Obviously, some of these projects will be substantial. I am aware the whole planning process is being reviewed at this point. We know there are significant issues in that regard. Consultation with the community is always a very i…

What is the status of the work of the interim procurement reform board and what are the Minister's plans to strengthen the procurement process in the State? I also ask for some detail on a timeline for that. We all accept that there have been significant and costly mistakes in procurement over the years. We could talk about the national children’s hospital until the end of time but mistakes were obviously made. Questions about the contract for the national broadband plan have been raised in newspapers in the past w…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I do not think anybody would have a major difficulty with having enhanced processes on social and environmental responsibility taken into account. One such important process is to have a greater element of due diligence, particularly for large infrastructural projects, in respect of the ability of those tendering to deliver the project and that they have a skill set to do so. I ask the Minister of State to be a bit more definitive on what actions he is referring to or…

I accept the Minister of State's point on a skills academy, which is needed. I ask him to provide more detail on the new system for e-tendering, the reason for it and the weaknesses of the previous system. It makes complete sense that any learnings from investigations by the Comptroller and Auditor General be built into whatever our modus operandi will be in the future. I ask for some leeway in respect of the Minister of State's other area of expertise and responsibility. We are dealing with a story about the natio…

Níl.

We have dealt with the technicalities and we all accept that, on some level, the need for a safety measure such as the European Stability Mechanism in a crisis scenario and that there will always be a need for emergency credit. However, everyone in this Chamber and beyond will remember the period of austerity, when we dealt with the EFSF, the forerunner of the ESM, and we had the memorandum of understanding with the troika which was not especially understanding. The European Union recognises at this stage that aust…

We have done a considerable amount of work on the Road Traffic and Roads Bill and there were many conversations during pre-legislative scrutiny as well as outside in the real world. What we are looking for is a system that is fit for purpose and allows us to travel as safely as possible, while taking into account the changed world in which we live. We are doing all of this in the context of COP26 and we must focus on the idea of active living and active travel. That is why we would start with the idea of using e-sc…

I was very taken with hearing about the science of "Star Wars". I believe that is something that, obviously, Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, and whoever else should put huge money into because it would only be right that we be given decent working lightsabers. It would be a much better world in that case. I would agree with much of what has been said. We have gone through a really brutal period. We have seen the absolute benefits of innovation, scientific research and real science versus some of the madness that w…

We are beyond time for a citizens assembly on planning for Irish unity. The British Government does not have a strategy on Brexit or the Irish protocol other than maintaining absolute disorder. All we can hope for is that Dominic Cummings is correct and Boris Johnson changes his mind. This is not good enough. The conversation has started and even representatives in the Taoiseach's party are completely engaged on it. The British Government has to be told we cannot have any sort of renegotiation of the Irish protocol…