The Government has been doing a lot in this space in recent years and a number of Departments are contributing to that. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, under the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is the primary Department involved, but the Defence Forces contribute to that. We have Defence Forces personnel at the NCSC. On a European level, there is also an awful lot of sharing of information. There is a centre of excellence in Tallinn, Estonia, for cybersecurity. We have seconded a person …

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations. As I outlined earlier, a process is under way to consider these recommendations in consultation with Government colleagues. However, I take this opportunity to assure the Deputy that the Permanent Defence Force continues to offer excellent career opportunities for both serving personnel and new entrants. Of course, we have seen examples of what should not be happening, but there are many good things happening as well. The mil…

The commission report did not pull any punches in regard to HR management in the Defence Forces. Even though some of the examples that I outlined are very welcome and necessary, in regard to trying to change the culture and approach towards staffing in the Defence Forces, a more fundamental change is needed in terms of culture, particularly towards women and other minorities, in the Defence Forces. Only 7% of our Defence Forces personnel are women. That is not where we need to be. The commission report stated that …

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 23, 24 and 47 together. My understanding is that the work plan has been completed. I am very careful to ensure that this report remains distant from the Minister so that it is seen genuinely as an independent report, which it needs to be. Even though this process and the people who are leading it have much support in terms of existing Defence Forces personnel and also some former Defence Forces personnel, it is regrettable that the Women of Honour group has not supported this ap…

Yes. Each time I have contributed I think the speech was delivered while I was speaking.

Okay. I assume the people in my office are listening and I ask that they get a speech to the Chamber quickly. If not, I will ensure that happens as soon as I sit down.

We are here to address the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory and, in particular, the issues raised in the report published on 1 February by Amnesty International. The Seanad discussed this matter yesterday and the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence did so last week. I welcome those debates and the opportunity to set out Ireland's position. Let me first say that I greatly respect Amnesty International and its important work, especially in terms of the contribution it makes to the…

It sounds good. We might be able to support it.

That is not true.

They could not get into Israel.

The International Criminal Court is looking at international crimes in the West Bank. We support that.

I am not disagreeing with the Deputy.

It was more than double that number.

It was more than that.

It was slightly more than that too.

It was in or around that. The Deputy should have his facts right.

I thank all the Deputies who contributed this evening. Certainly, the reading of this report shines a strong spotlight on everything that is wrong and illegal, and unacceptable, about how Palestinians are treated by the Israeli state. I have been consistent on this issue that Ireland is a country that needs to use its influence in the UN, in the UN Security Council, in the EU and in other international forums, such as the human rights council which we will use tomorrow on this issue, to speak out in a way that can …

We do not do that by speaking in an entirely different way from everybody else and creating an impression that Ireland is out on its own. That is the difference in the approach between me and many of the Members opposite. It is a judgment call politically in how we should approach that. I agree with Deputy Berry, whom I know has served time in the Middle East, and has been in either UNIFIL or UNDOF, or perhaps both. One of the reasons Irish people are so knowledgeable and interested in this part of the world is bec…

I have just come from the Dáil, where we have agreed a motion expressing our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. I understand that the Seanad will also shortly consider a motion on the issue and I wholeheartedly support its efforts in doing so. I know that party leaders have been talking about how they might do that this evening or tomorrow. It is right that both Houses of the Oireachtas are engaged on this vital issue. I hope we will have all-party support on a motion that we worked hard t…

It does, of course. Nobody is going back to Ukraine.