The Deputies opposite will have a wrap-up speech.

I did not direct my comment at any individual but if the hat fits, you should wear it.

You obviously feel the hat fits.

I will specifically clarify what was said. I have listened to the debate over the last hour or so. At least 15 Members of the Opposition have spoken. I referred to Putin's puppets. I did not refer any specific individual. If an individual feels that I was referring to them-----

As I said, 15 Members of the Opposition spoke and I made a reference. If some people feel it relates to them, if the hat fits, they can wear it but I did not put the hat on anyone here today. I mentioned no name. I did not direct my comments at any individual.

It was a general remark and if a Deputy takes offence, that is up to the Deputy. Why would an individual Deputy think I was referring to them if they did not believe it themselves? I am still referring to no Deputy in particular.

I did not mention another Member.

I will withdraw the remark as a result of some Members feeling that the comment was directed towards them, which it was not specifically.

We have had an interesting debate over the past hour or so. In particular, we had a very important debate yesterday on recognising the State of Palestine. On the issue of neutrality, the world has changed since the last general election. In my lifetime, I have never seen an invasion by Russia into Europe before. I have heard no------

What?

It is not in the European Union. It has preferred status to-----

The UK is not in the European Union but it is in Europe. The European Union is not Europe and it is important to recognise that. Switzerland is in Europe but it is not in the European Union. I am not referring to the EU. In the last few days, I have heard very little criticism in this House of what Hamas did on 7 October. We are very fair and proportionate. We criticise what Hamas did on 7 October and we also and more firmly criticise the actions of Israel and its barbaric slaughter in the Gaza Strip of thousands o…

I commend the Government amendment to the House.

I welcome the Palestinian head of mission, who is soon to be the Palestinian ambassador, to the House. We look forward to working well with her over many years to come. Our recognition of the State of Palestine today fits three fundamental purposes, and indeed many more. First, it makes clear our view that it is time that Palestine takes its place among the nations of the world and that its right to self-determination, self-government, territorial integrity and sovereignty must now be vindicated. Second, it is an e…

What is your plan?

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this very important issue in respect of Newbridge. No doubt this is an issue in many areas throughout the country. The Department of integration, and I am speaking on behalf of the Minister, currently relies on the private commercial market, not the private residential rental market, to supply accommodation to house international protection applicants. The key issue is the private commercial market versus the private residential rental market. That is the issue this hinges on.…

I can give the Senator one bit of advice of further information about how many the system is designed for. What I can say is a similar situation arose in my constituency recently. Certain local people went to the local authority to find out the planning status of the house that was in question. It was a private house that had been done up and it was put up. Planning permission is required to do that because it is a change of use and second, these areas must have fire certificates for that purpose. On the basis of b…

On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, I thank Senator Boylan for raising this matter. I assure the Senator that the Minister and colleagues in government recognise stalking for the serious offence it is. Stalking is a crime that not only undermines the fabric of our society, it also infringes upon the safety, dignity and freedom of victims. We are aware that this is an extremely serious and intrusive act that causes devastating psychological effects. The tactics employed by stalkers are designed to…

I again thank the Senator for raising this matter and for the further elaboration in response to my opening statement. We will continue to treat stalking with the gravity it demands and we encourage all victims of stalking to report it to An Garda Síochána. Offences now carry potential sentences of up to ten years. Some of these offences had previously only carried sentences of five years but they were doubled and came into effect for offences since 1 November last year. It is something the Garda treats very seriou…

I thank Senator Clonan for raising this matter and welcome the opportunity to speak on it on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. I listened carefully to everything the Senator said. Some of it was most interesting. The level of detail in the points he made is helpful to us. Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security is expressed in Ireland's long-stand…