I doubt that.

Where does the Tánaiste intend to deploy Irish troops in the event that he is successful in progressing legislation that would remove the triple lock neutrality protection, considering that the Government has withdrawn from the UNDOF peacekeeping mission due to capacity constraints?

I take it from that answer that there is no intention at this point in time to deploy troops if the proposed triple lock legislation makes its way through. I welcome the fact that the Tánaiste came before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence earlier this week to report on the engagement with the Foreign Affairs Council and Ireland's new arrangements with NATO. There was a certain outcry from members of the committee on learning of these new arrangements in the media rather than in the Oirea…

We are all aware of the geopolitical difficulties and the fact that many people are game playing on an international basis but that does not change where the Irish people are on neutrality. They see the ending of the triple lock as a step in a direction that they would not like to go. We would like those opinions to be taken into account. In a report on the Defence Forces serving with the UN laid before the Houses earlier this month, the Tánaiste references "one of the key outcomes" of the so-called consultative fo…

I am looking for the establishment figure of the Naval Service, the strength as of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the current strength of the service, the number of personnel required under level of ambition, LOA, 2 and the current number of ships that can simultaneously be put to sea.

On the numbers, there were 1,094 personnel in 2019. That is now down to 722. A determination has not been made yet on how many more are required to reach level of ambition 2. I assume that figure will be made available fairly soon. Irish waters make up 12% of all EU waters and 75% of subsea cables in the northern hemisphere pass through or near Irish waters. To monitor, surveil and secure these extensive waters, we have approximately one third fewer naval personnel than needed, we can put but a single ship to sea, …

I have no doubt that huge extra moves will need to be made in ensuring that we get through what is obviously a recruitment and, particularly, a retention issue regarding the Defence Forces in general. The issue many of us have is what matters and is seen to qualify as a priority by the Government. It seems removing the triple lock is one. Officials are to proceed without delay in implementing the working time directive but we have yet to even see a draft Bill. The commission outlined in depth what is required to ac…

Deputy Carthy and many others are seeking greater engagement with the Opposition. The record of the House will show that the Tánaiste has denied requests to refer matters to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for detailed scrutiny and that votes on related but distinct matters have been taken as a singular vote. Deputy Carthy and other members of that committee have learned of important and sensitive developments through the media, rather than through considered, informed engagement with …

I agree that we have a great history of peacekeeping. I, like many others, have referred here many times to the Irish people’s belief in staying non-aligned. They do not want to see any move away from neutrality. The fact is that it is very difficult to see the removal of the triple lock as being anything but a step in a particular direction. It does put our troops in danger and takes away the protection we have through being seen as a safe pair of hands or being non-aligned. We dealt many times with the death of S…

I will bring up a similar issue. It is not only the lack of bus drivers. Sometimes, it is the issue of the number of buses and the state of some of them. Yesterday, there were five cancellations of the 100X expressway, which is the Dundalk to Dublin bus. It is the bus that goes to the airport so it can be imagined how much of a disaster cancellations are for people trying to avoid bringing their car to Dublin and pay the parking fees in the airport. Two such buses were cancelled this morning, the 6.30 a.m. service …

Could we look at the 100X route?

Yes, we have a problem with most things in Dundalk. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for bringing forward the aptly named Neighbour Disputes (Vegetation) Bill. I thank the Minister of State and the Government for not opposing it. Everyone agrees that this is the sort of thing that can become a big issue for neighbours and for many of us as elected representatives. I remember as a councillor dealing with some incredibly serious issues with regard to drug debt and intimidation and whatever else that would involve liaising w…

I agree with much of what has been said. There has been a huge number of deaths on the roads and our thoughts go out to all those people. I know the Minister of State was in Dundalk recently and we spoke about the issue of the Avenue Road roundabout, which was at least addressed. I, along with Shannon McCann and many others, have raised the issue of the intersection at Sexton’s, which the Minister of State visited. It is a vital piece of infrastructure in an area that is very built up when compared to what it was p…

A considerable number of people have said it long before me that we have not seen the movement that we need in delivering Sláintecare and universal healthcare. There is no TD who has not dealt with absolute disaster scenarios regarding people who have just gone through cancer treatment who have suddenly had their medical card rescinded. Constituents go to their TD, the TD goes to the Minister or makes contact and it gets sorted but that is not the way the system should work. That is what leads to dissatisfaction wi…

While they wait, his teeth are at increased risk of long-term decay due to the brace. It is a particular issue that keeps happening and we really need to get on top of orthodontic services.

It is fair to say that people see double standards. I am not taking away from the fact that Germany, the Czech Republic and other member states started with what was not necessarily a helpful outlook with regard to Israel, and that is the nicest way I can put it. We have seen that many in the European Union and its various bodies were overly supportive of Israel and provided cover that was not in any way helpful as Israel started its genocidal attack on the Palestinian people, continuing its long history of oppress…

Having murdered 34,183 Palestinians, including more than 13,000 children, Israel is now turning the focus of its genocidal onslaught towards Rafah, the last remaining shelter to some 1.5 million Gazans. Israel's most heinous behaviour is not a new phenomenon for those sheltering in Rafah, the majority of whom will recall the previous onslaughts in the past decade or more. The majority of them were already refugees in Gaza and are now doubly refugees in Rafah. We know from Israeli operations in Gaza City, Deir al-Ba…

We need to recognise a Palestinian state while there is still a Palestinian people.

I still say we need to take action on those things that we can do-----

-----such as enacting the occupied territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill.