I thank the Senator for raising this issue, about which I speak on behalf of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys. The Senator is right in that the Minister has responsibility for this legislation but there are other Departments involved and it would be better if there was a different approach. We discussed this in our parliamentary party meeting last week because we are not satisfied with the situation either. All our hearts were broken when we saw Alejandro Miszan suffer life-changin…

I fully understand the concerns raised by the Senator and I will bring everything back to the Minister and the Government. As the Taoiseach flagged recently, a cross-departmental review of the laws on dog control is about to commence. I share and understand the concerns about the number of dog wardens and prosecutions under the Control of Dogs Act. I hope we will see an increase in warden numbers because there has been a large increase in the number of dogs owned. This includes my own family, which has taken on a l…

I thank the Senator for raising the matter. As the Senator will, of course, be aware, peace commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice, and I am here on her behalf. She is on maternity leave and the Minster of State, Deputy James Browne, is also absent today, so he asked me to take this matter. Peace commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. As the Senator said, a peace commissioner is an honorary appointment and those appointed receive …

I thank the Senator for raising the issue. As I said, a signed affidavit is required where there is no separation or divorce agreement in place, which would be probably considered fairly complex to make sure that is done properly. I appreciate that it is normally in circumstances where there are particular difficulties in that person's life. However, we have taken careful note of the comments made by the Senator and will advise relevant colleagues and officials. The 2022 justice plan contains a commitment to review…

Read it and the Deputy will know.

In numerous instances, we have seen Russia try deliberately to provoke division or discord in democratic nations. I am absolutely convinced that Russia, in this particular manoeuvre, whatever it is, will try to do the same. It will try to divide us. It tried to do it with the fishers and tried to do it many other times over recent years. There were certainly people supporting it in that endeavour over recent years. All we know is what is in the media reports and what the Russian Foreign Ministry has published on it…

On the announcement from the Russian Federation, we have no information other than a very brief statement, which does not even name the people it states it is sanctioning.

This has come to light while we have been sitting. There may well be actions taking place in the Department of Foreign Affairs at the moment. I believe this became public sometime after 1 o'clock today, so it is breaking news. The idea that I would come in here with a formulated response to something that has appeared on a website in the past couple of hours would not be correct. Our entire focus is on helping Ukraine. We can stand here and say how terrible this statement is but all the while missiles will be dumpe…

The actions of the Russian Federation have entailed a lot of criticism for the Irish Government from the Opposition, which I find extraordinary. Several Deputies rightly raised the situation in the Horn of Africa. This is extremely serious. The Horn of Africa is experiencing its most severe drought in more than 40 years, which has led to high levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition. As Deputies have said, 36 million people are affected. The number has increased from approximately 19 million that were affec…

It is important to put all of this on the record. It is so important.

The EU itself will have contributed more than €5 billion in humanitarian and development assistance for global food security.

I welcome as well the ceasefire in Ethiopia between the government there and the Tigrayan leaders in recent days. That is very important and I hope it can be implemented in full and work to the advantage of the people.

I will not respond to the last point. Warships visiting ports is not a matter for the European Council, so I have no information on that. I suggest that the Deputy ask a parliamentary question of the relevant Department or inquiries could be made to the Port of Cork or Cork City Council. I suppose they would have the answer. I do not have the answer, as I am here to discuss the European Council, and it was not raised at the European Council. Regarding neutrality, the Taoiseach has made it very clear our neutrality …

Deputy O'Donoghue is on record as opposing the budget. His constituents this week are massively benefiting from Government supports that come from taxation to help them with their fuel bills. Every one of his constituents on the fuel allowance this week is getting an unprecedented lump sum to help them with the difficult challenges they face. The Deputy opposed it all and he keeps giving out about it.

They are getting €600 in three lump sums to help with their bills. The Government has been working very hard and is about to introduce significant measures for the SME sector. We have done a large amount at European level. We have gone to the European Union and worked together with all the other governments and we have made these decisions together. We have taken action to attract new gas supplies into the European market, including for ourselves. European Union countries have stored 90% of their requirements. Many…

The issue of military assistance and de-mining is at an early stage. The Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, would be in a better position to discuss that. We welcome the agreement reached to established an EU military assistance mission in support of Ukraine. Ireland is engaging with Ukraine at present to assess how best to respond to its specific request for support in the area of de-mining where, as the Taoiseach noted last week we have some expertise. To be fair, the Ukrainians have severe needs and the whole…

I thank Deputies for their statements and questions. Sna ráitis seo chun clabhsúr a chur le cúrsaí, labhróidh mé faoin gcruinniú mullaigh idir an tAontas Eorpach agus Comhlachas Náisiúin na hÁise Thoir Theas, ASEAN, atá le tarlú an 14 Nollaig agus breathnóidh mé chun cinn freisin ar an gcruinniú mullaigh idir an tAontas agus na Balcáin Thiar a bheidh ar siúl i dTiorána na hAlbáine an 6 Nollaig. Tá Éire go mór ar son an chaidrimh idir an tAontas Eorpach agus ASEAN. Is clochmhíle shuntasach í an chomhpháirtíocht 45 b…

Tá súil agam go bhfuil.

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