This is a very historic day but also a very emotional one for the families of the victims and for the survivors of the Stardust tragedy. The fire in the Stardust nightclub in Artane in February 1981 was truly horrific. Forty-eight young lives were lost and more than 200 people were injured. Since that night, the families have campaigned tirelessly to establish exactly what happened, determine the cause of the fire and get justice and the truth for their loved ones. As a teenager, I once attended the Stardust for a …

This was the first time a Taoiseach attended the Munich Security Conference. It raised some eyebrows but it was right for Ireland to be part of the debate on European foreign and security policy issues at this dangerous time. I refer in particular to the illegal invasion by Russia of Ukraine, the terrible events taking place in Gaza and the escalating tensions in the wider Middle East. Ireland can play a positive role in this foreign and security policy debate. It is clear that Europe is becoming more and more conc…

I wish the Taoiseach all the best on his announcement this morning. In regard to the question, I hope that review will take place as soon as possible. It is clear that the Taoiseach delivered a very strong message in Washington regarding the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. As we know, aid agencies have warned of an imminent famine in the enclave. An unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has spoken about how starvation is being used as a …

The terrible events taking place in Gaza continue to dominate the international political agenda. It is clear that we need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza and negotiations to commence on a long-term, sustainable, two-state solution in the region. We are aware that aid agencies are warning of an imminent famine in the region affecting the entire population of Gaza. It has to be said that this was an inevitable outcome given the actions of Israel since the brutal …

I warmly welcome the vote of approval for the nature restoration law in the European Parliament last week. As we know, this law proposes to restore at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 and repair all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. It will involve the restoration of terrestrial, coastal and freshwater ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands, forests, rivers and lakes. As regards peatlands, EU states will be obliged to bring forward restoration measures for drained peatlands on at least …

I am sure the Taoiseach and the other EU heads of state and government were delighted when Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán held up the €50 billion plan for Ukraine at the European Council meeting in December and made them all return for a special meeting in February. It is great that this four-year package, the so-called Ukraine facility, has finally been agreed. As the Taoiseach stated, the meeting also discussed the terrible events taking place in Gaza. Unfortunately, yet again no conclusions were reached. …

I ask about actual promised legislation, namely, the marine protected areas Bill. As the Minister knows, this proposed legislation will allow Ireland to designate 30% of our oceans as protected areas with 10% of this area to be designated as highly protected. It will be vitally important for the protection of our marine life and to help reduce global carbon emissions. We need to manage our oceans better. The Bill has gone through pre-legislative scrutiny. When will it be published? More important, will the Governme…

On a recent visit to the EU institutions by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, we were informed that security and defence were becoming matters of increasing concern in Brussels. This first emerged following the Russian invasion of Ukraine two years ago and has been added to by Donald Trump's recent remarks about NATO and the defence of Europe. I commend the Taoiseach on defending Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality at the Munich Security Conference last week when he stressed …

It is great that the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive are finally up and running after a two-year stalemate. We need to do everything possible to ensure the institutions are not collapsed again. There is now an urgent need to get meetings of the North–South Ministerial Council under way to pursue all-island opportunities and, indeed, foster the all-island economy. I welcome the Government's announcement today of new funding of more than €800 million for shared island investment priorities, including the A5 n…

The brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia two years ago was unprovoked, unlawful and unjustifiable. Thousands of civilians have been killed and critical infrastructure has been destroyed on a massive scale. It is clear that Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine and it must be held accountable through the international courts, specifically the International Criminal Court, the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice. I welcome the financial support that Ireland has given to pursue t…

The World Economic Forum has its critics, as we have just heard. Heads of corporations, NGOs and experts of all kinds fly in and mix with global leaders to pontificate about global issues. It can all seem a bit removed from the ordinary citizen. However, having listened to the Taoiseach's response, I can certainly see the benefits of a forum of this kind. By all accounts, the Taoiseach used the opportunity to engage with other leaders on the appalling situation in Gaza and to press for a humanitarian ceasefire and …

The People's Republic of China is a major economic global power. As such, it has considerable influence in geopolitical matters. It is, therefore, in a strong position to help resolve many of the world's problems. It is right that we enhance and develop good relations with that country. It is in our interest to do so. Meetings such as the Taoiseach's meeting with the Premier of the State Council are important. Although the EU has a sensible de-risk policy regarding China it is in everyone's interest for the EU to h…

The Taoiseach's recent visit to the western Balkans, and specifically Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia, was welcome. He also visited the Irish peacekeeping troops posted in Kosovo. Ireland has a proud tradition of UN peacekeeping. No doubt, the Taoiseach conveyed the deep appreciation of all of us to the Defence Forces personnel stationed there for the important duties that they are undertaking. As the Taoiseach knows, a number of countries in the western Balkans have aspirations to join the EU. The declarati…

I am sharing time with Deputy O'Dowd. I express my condolences to the Bruton family and the Fine Gael Party on the sad passing of former Taoiseach John Bruton last week. John Bruton played his part in the Northern Ireland process. Others have spoken about how pleased he would have been to see the Northern Ireland First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, and the deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, attend his State funeral at the weekend. Saturday, 3 February, was an historic day and the proceedings in Stormont cer…

It looks like the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, continues to be the bold child of Europe. It is to be welcomed that he left the room when the decision was about to be taken on opening accession talks with Ukraine and we should be thankful he did not veto this decision. There has been some criticism of the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, for unblocking the payment of funds to Hungary on the eve of the summit on the basis it had apparently reformed its legal system, as demanded by the EU. As the…

Israel's military attacks on Gaza continue unabated. It is truly shocking to see what is happening there and to witness the level of civilian casualties. Some 25,000 Palestinians have been killed to date. As we know, the European Council was unable to include a meaningful reference to this major international conflict in its final communiqué, which is very disappointing, to say the least. It must be said that the EU has not covered itself in glory when it comes to this issue. What we need now more than ever is an i…

It is great to see strand 3 of the Good Friday Agreement fully operational again, as evidenced by the regular meetings of the British-Irish Council and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. I note that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, attended the meeting of the British-Irish Council on 24 November, hosted by the Taoiseach. I wish to ask about strand 1, relating to the status and system of government in Northern Ireland, and in particular about efforts to restore the North…

Migration is now one of the major global issues of our time. It is firmly on the political agenda in many countries. We all remember the electoral promise of Donald Trump to build that famous wall to prevent Mexicans from entering the USA. Migration was also central to the Brexit campaign in the UK in 2016. Recent elections in the Netherlands, Italy, Slovakia and Finland are evidence of increasing concerns about the issue. It is clear that anti-immigrant parties and candidates are on the rise in France and Germany.…

The bombardment of Gaza following the recent truce has recommenced with a vengeance. Southern Gaza is now in the firing line and the people of Gaza have nowhere to go. More and more civilians, including 6,000 children, have been killed. It is absolutely appalling what is happening. It is clear the international community, including the US and EU, did not do much to prevent the current hostilities breaking out and they were happy to accept the status quo and try to manage this situation. It is to be hoped that a muc…

I appreciate that the Tánaiste has answered some of these questions already. My question relates to Irish citizens getting out of Gaza and also the Israeli hostages. What progress has been made in that regard? The question has been taken over a little bit by events but I am anxious to hear his reply anyway.