Once again, the Taoiseach deflects completely -----

-----and does not answer the question about Michael Lowry and doing business with him. Michael Lowry who, as I said, was found by a tribunal to have received payments in the order of at least £180,000 from somebody he gave a mobile phone licence to and who is now a multi billionaire. You do not get more corrupt than that and the Taoiseach has no qualms.

Taoiseach's questions is being halved.

Hundreds of Taoiseach's questions will not be asked. For example, personally, in that slot, I have raised repeal when nobody else in this Dáil was interested. I raised trans healthcare and many other topics that there is no way any of the Taoiseach's backbenchers will ask him about. We heard a lot about the terrible plight of the lonely backbencher. My heart was bleeding until I remembered that these backbenchers have direct access and an inside track to Ministers. They frequently organise meetings in constituencie…

There is this idea that they are in this terrible position. They can speak at any time should they choose to.

I want to finish by saying this is in line with anti-democratic measures that parliaments are taking across Europe. They are using their majorities to cut across the right to protest and democratic rights. They are doing it in the UK today cutting welfare rights-----

You do not respect us.

Michael Lowry, the question I asked?

You put the Ceann Comhairle in position.

We need the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to speak up about what is happening in Sudan, where an absolutely horrific genocide is taking place. Some 12.4 million people have been forcibly displaced, more than half of whom are children. Some 24 million people need humanitarian assistance. Half of the population is food insecure or facing famine. Some 75% of healthcare is not functioning. There is a refugee crisis. War crimes are being committed by both the army and the militia, including mass killings, ta…

I never heard that.

You did not.

The topics discussed during the EU leaders' retreat included an arming up of Europe, and also relations with the US. I want the Taoiseach to comment on how he thinks his diplomatic mission went in the US. He said that Donald Trump was in pursuit of peace and then about 48 hours later he colluded with an horrific massacre in Gaza in which 400 people died. The Taoiseach smiled and nodded as Donald Trump said his favourite person from Ireland was Conor McGregor. Lo and behold, on St. Patrick's Day-----

The Taoiseach stayed silent and then joked about his father being a boxer. On St. Patrick's Day, two rapists met each other-----

-----in the White House, two men found guilty by juries to be rapists. We had the sight on St. Patrick's Day of Conor McGregor representing this country's views. It was an insult to the country. Actually, it was an insult to the Government because he slated it. So much for the Taoiseach's diplomatic mission with Trump. It was an insult to women. When you normalise genocide and misogyny, this is what happens.

I actually asked the Taoiseach before he went how he felt about dealing with a sexual predator like Donald Trump and this was the insult he delivered to the Government and to our people on St. Patrick's Day.

The Taoiseach's visit was completely obliterated and overshadowed by the real Donald Trump.

Hilarious.

I did not ask about that.

I asked about the pursuit of peace by Donald Trump.