I do not think there is any chance of this being dropped for many of the reasons the Deputy outlined but also because many in the Government, myself included, have given strong commitment to delivering on a motorway between Ireland's second and third cities. There was a strong commitment in the last development plan to deliver the M20 and there is a strong commitment in this development plan to do it. The big difference between the two development plans is there is more time and a lot more money attached to this on…

An increased price of living will be factored into our considerations when the Government announces a budget next week. The carbon tax measure, as the Deputy should know, is a climate action measure that is a medium-term measure, which is about giving a price signal over a ten-year period, not a one-year period or a six-month period-----

It is about giving a signal to people of the need to move to alternatives to fossil fuels and I think that is sound policy. Of course we have to look at ways by which we can support people through the transition particularly at a time when the price of carbon-based fuels, gas in particular, is increasing the way it is at the moment. We will factor in that, in terms of the supports that will be available next week.

It is my understanding that the National Transport Authority plans to introduce further 24-hour services from the end of November between Dublin city centre and the Chapelizod, Palmerston, Lucan, Adamstown Leixlip, Celbridge and Maynooth areas to the west, as well as the Sandymount and Ringsend areas to the south east. These 24-hour services are part of phase 2 of the revised bus network that is being introduced under the BusConnects project. Branch E1 will continue to Bray and Ballywaltrim similar to the current r…

I listened to that interview this morning and I suspect the Deputy also heard it. It made for very compelling listening on the impact and the power that Facebook and other platforms similar to Facebook have on young people's lives with regard to their sense of self-worth and their sense of the need to respond to peer pressure and social pressure, which often leads to eating disorders, mental health issues and negative self-worth consequences. There is responsibility on us all. It is my understanding that there are …

I do not want to overpromise to bridge that particular gap but a lot of people have asked whether, if their project is not in the national development plan, that means it will not be built or will not happen. The answer to this question is a very strong "No, that is not necessarily the case". There is a significant increase in capital expenditure within this programme. Obviously, when projects are prioritised by local authorities and by Departments, there is no reason they cannot be delivered. They do not necessari…

I thank the Senators for the opportunity to speak in this debate. I believe that any Belarusians listening to this debate will take some courage from it. I hope they will because it is a country that needs solidarity and support not only from its close neighbours, but from other countries across Europe and the world. The truth is that sanctions very rarely work overnight. Sometimes they do not work at all. The European Union has tried to respond with sanctions targeted at individuals who are involved in, or linked …

I suspect this will be a continuing problem for some time. The least we can do is to remain consistent and resolute in the context of the struggle the Belarusian people themselves are leading primarily on the ground. I thank the House for this opportunity and I hope we can come back and address this issue again in a few months' time.

I will address the questions in reverse order. I am aware of the intention to introduce a DEIS-type scheme to ensure that people who are living in areas that are disadvantaged or who perhaps may have very low incomes can ensure that their children can access early learning and childcare services. I am aware that the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is working on this. On Deputy Boyd Barrett's question, from what I have seen and from conversations I have had, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, is doing a very good …

The French finance minister can say whatever he wants but our Government has not had a recommendation yet as the basis for a decision. With regard to Deputy Collins' question, I have met many of the families who were deeply impacted by the Whiddy Island disaster, which was an horrific tragedy. Perhaps I will speak with the Deputy offline on what the Deputy is looking for rather than give him a short curt answer here.

I thank the Deputy. I am aware of the European citizens' initiative to which he refers. Following its registration, the European Commission has six months to consider the initiative and any proposals arising from it. My officials will actively follow developments on the issue. Ireland has previously raised at EU level the question of whether goods from occupied territories, including from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, should be excluded from the EU market. However, it is clear that at present t…

The case the Deputy makes reinforces the position I am taking. I have always said in respect of the occupied territories Bill that this is a trade matter for the EU collectively and the European Commission to make recommendations and decisions on. That has always been our position. It is why Ireland on its own cannot make decisions in this area. If it did, would not be able to implement them without EU support. If this is an EU trade measure and competence and the EU has the authority to do it, then it is an EU dec…

I received extensive advice from the previous Attorney General and the current one. The advice is the same. It is that it is an EU competence, not a member state competence, to take the actions the Deputy has suggested. The threshold that would need to be overcome for Ireland to act on its own is not deemed to be met. If there is to be a sanction or trade measure introduced on goods from illegal settlements, the EU needs to collectively decide to do that. I do not believe there is even close to a majority or consen…

That is why we should focus on what is possible and is already there, which is clear differentiation on labelling. That should be implemented across member states.

IDA Ireland is an autonomous statutory agency, which operates in accordance with the Industrial Development Acts, 1986 to 2019, and under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who is best placed to comment on the agency’s activities and decisions and is responsible for trade. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has answered a number of parliamentary questions on this matter. Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the state of Israel and the territories oc…

I am sorry, but we make a distinction between Israel and the occupied territories. I do not believe that settlements are legal and I have said many times on the record that settlements and their expansion in occupied territories is illegal under international law. I raise that issue probably more than any other EU Minister on an international stage, whether it is in EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings, at the UN, on other international forums, here, and I raise it bilaterally and directly also with the Israeli Gove…

It is not a contradiction at all.

Our relationship with Israel is an important agent for delivering change in Israel's policy towards Palestinians, which I have been very critical of and I continue to be. I am not responsible for IDA Ireland and the line Minister has answered questions on this and will continue to answer questions if they are raised. My position is clear, however. Ireland should have a bilateral relationship with Israel but Ireland should also be consistent with international law and with UN Security Council resolutions in calling …

They talk to each and when there are differences, they discuss them. Ireland continues to be one of the most outspoken countries in the world in the context of the relationship between Israel and Palestine-----

----- and the need to move towards a negotiated peaceful with solution and that is what we will continue to do.