It might be better-----

Yes, but not with an allegation like that. Continue, Deputy.

A similar question has been asked by Deputy Carthy on this issue, but the Tánaiste might wish to elaborate on it. What further measures is the Department of Foreign Affairs considering to alleviate some of the difficulties being experienced by first-time passport applicants, particularly when additional information is requested and the timeframe that adds to applications in those instances? I ask him to make a statement on this.

I thank the Tánaiste. The passport helpline and its staff are very helpful. Their advice is always helpful, as it should be. I do not wish to be argumentative but there are certainly issues. I had one yesterday where the gentleman concerned applied in time. Unfortunately, however, he applied online and was put at the back of the queue. It is the same issue Deputy Carthy brought to the Tánaiste's attention, namely, his passport photograph was stamped by the garda involved over that garda's signature on the form and …

I agree. It is not to ridicule the staff because they are quite good. It is a Department with which I have a lot of engagement, unfortunately, but it is generally not its fault. In the age of technology we live in, surely we can devise a system whereby if a garda signs a passport photograph, he can hit a button and put the application number of the form on the system to say he signed it. We do not need a record or phone calls. It is there, just like the Tánaiste is saying with the birth certificates. That is someth…

One thing that we will be clear on is that we will be on time today.

I have allowed the Deputy latitude but he should move on.

On foot of our debate yesterday evening regarding our fire services, the Government's amendment is disappointing. We heard about our firefighters. Their hourly rate equates to 90 cent an hour, but I am not sure if that point was made, or if it was, the Government must have heard it but been deaf to it, and this is similar. I have been working since I was 12, and I have no shame in saying that. It was not because I was thrown out of my family and had to work or anything like that. They were just different times. I h…

No latitude - the Deputy is right absolutely.

The Minister is on his way; he is delayed. We have two Members who have not arrived to speak. I am going suspend the House for three minutes. If the Members arrive in the meantime, they will be allowed to speak but if not, we will have to move to the Minister. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank the Minister of State. With the agreement of the House, I propose to allow Deputy McNamara four minutes. Everybody agrees.

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time this evening.

The Taoiseach will understand that the essence of what we do as elected representatives is to bring people with us when we implement legislation or alter legislation through a statutory instrument. Could the Taoiseach please explain what the process of setting up the firearms expert committee was? Who set the terms of reference and what criteria were used to appoint members to the committee? How many applicants applied to sit on the committee and who were the members of the interview panel with the credentials to d…

The Local Government Reform Act 2014, introduced by the Taoiseach's own party in Government, established the National Oversight and Audit Commission, NOAC, as an independent statutory body, to provide oversight of the local government structure in Ireland. Its functions involve scrutiny of performance generally and financial performance specifically. On 17 January last, the chair of NOAC, Mr. Michael McCarthy, told the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: NOAC does not have a function of provi…

Of course.

That is true and this is not the first time a local authority has been found wanting when it comes to the administration of its budgets as allocated by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government. There is no oversight of spending and that is because nobody is answerable or accountable for the actions of the authorities. Similar shortcomings have been identified in recent times with Mayo County Council, where unjustifiable claims were made against the Department. NOAC, which is the body that has oversi…

It is still taxpayers' money.

It is not often I am lost for words but I am a bit lost for words now. I know this is difficult for the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I can see it in his face and in his uncomfortable shifting around in his seat. I do not doubt this discussion makes him uncomfortable. Some of our front-line workers contacted me today, as did their partners, all of them in tears that they are out on strike. They are devoted to their work. It is life-saving work. They are on call 24-7. I am on call 24-7 as a politician and I am w…

What about Robert Watt? What agreement did that come under?

That is exactly it.