That is not a matter for the Minister's Department.

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland report, which I absolutely welcome, confirms what many of us presumed was the situation, but without the details, for a long time. I have attended previous presentations from people who have done a great deal of study on this issue of collusion. They have suggested that there were major abuses of policing and of authority in the North of Ireland during all of the Troubles period, and since. Like everybody else here, I support the position that has been adopted by the Govern…

The last part of that question was going to be the first part of my question. When will this particular process be over? It has been going on for a long time. Will the Department provide a list of all the steps that will need to be taken before we can proceed to into construction? In the context of Inis Oírr, for example, the problem that arose was that planning permission had been obtained but just when everything was ready to go, it was suddenly discovered that there was no foreshore licence. Can the Minister pro…

I welcome the scheme. It is a huge step forward. It is a no-brainer. We all recognise that capital expenditure of the past looks cheap, but in the future and the present it looks dear. If we delay this, it only gets dearer. I hope we have learned our lesson. I spoke last night about a pier that had planning permission in 2008 and was costed at €7 million. The budget estimate now is €20 million for the same pier with the same planning. In 14 years it has doubled, so let us get on with the job. I welcome the scheme a…

I must be honest and say that I have not read the report. I have not had the opportunity to do so. I will respond in more detail to the very detailed report when I get that opportunity. There are, however, basic principles I think we can lay down. I have long questioned the Minister about the issue of pay in the Defence Forces and the work burden that soldiers face. I welcome the fact that the Minister will be initiating discussions, albeit belatedly, with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform regarding th…

I apologise to the Minister of State, as I got caught out there. I was watching the television screen and two people did not turn up. I thought I had seen Deputy Sherlock here earlier. The whole issue of forestry is contentious, given the huge delays in the issuing of licences. I am looking for information that would give me an indication of the trends in relation to planting, felling and the provision of roads. There are many complaints that not enough licences are being issued and there are too many delays. We ne…

I thank the Minister of State for the reply and I look forward to getting the tables. Planting, or afforestation as the Minister of State is calling it, is hugely important. I would divide it into two sectors, one of which is the production of timber for the commercial sector. The Minister of State might give me an indication of what we would have to plant in order to allow us even to continue with the kind of milling industry that we have, which is so important for our exports. Added to that is the planting that w…

I accept what the Minister of State is saying about felling licences and planting but it is not quite that simple. Some of what is being felled, such as Sitka spruce and so on, is being replaced by broadleaves, which have a longer period of growth and are not the timber sought by most of the commercial mills. As the Minister of State has noted, because of the nature of where forests tend to be in this country, most of them require ecological surveys for felling licences. Taking into account those surveys, how long …

Tá áthas orm deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an ábhar seo. I congratulate the Minister of State on the work she is doing, which is very challenging. Approximately 14 or 15 years ago, I suggested that disability and that type of continuing care and support for people, which is not about curing an illness but about affording people with an ongoing condition a good quality of life, should be separated from acute medicine. It was my belief that when the argument came around the table regarding the money, the Minister fo…

As a Taoiseach is aware, delays in planning are causing huge problems for individuals and businesses. This is particularly acute with An Bord Pleanála where many of the appeals, I would say the majority, are not dealt with within anything like the four-month statutory target. It can take over a year to get permission for leave to seek substitute consent, for example. When one finally gets the leave, if one does get the leave, to apply for substitute consent it can take two or three years to get the substitute conse…

It has not come through the Dáil.

I am seeking an update on accommodation for people in direct provision. Significant commitments were made in that regard. I know some actions have been taken. I ask the Minister to update me on own-door accommodation, for example. Are we progressing in moving people through the system faster? I know that is not the Minister's direct responsibility but he must be talking to the Minister of Justice and asking whether we can speed the process up and have fewer people in direct provision once their cases have been deci…

Would I be right in thinking that there has been a rapid increase in the number of people in direct provision and, therefore, the number of people seeking asylum? Will the Minister indicate how many people have been in the system for more than four years? It seems that we are left with a problem that should largely have been resolved by people being processed through the system quickly and definitive decisions being made on their cases. Will the Minister indicate what the alternative model is and how he will get it…

Would they be in direct provision?

I thank the Minister for that information. There is also a community scheme for refugees whereby communities around the country host refugees. It is a progressive way forward. Has there been much uptake of the scheme by communities? Are many communities coming forward with offers to take refugees? If that could be done, it would not only provide accommodation, but also a loving, open and welcoming community.

I am looking for information on the disability responsibilities that have transferred to the Minister’s Department and the budget involved. Where exactly is the dividing line between his Department and the Department of Health?

I thank the Minister. He has given a very comprehensive and clear answer to the question. I take it from him that, as of now, the services delivered on the ground are still delivered by the Department of Health but they are to be transferred through the complex legislation, which he said is to be passed early this year. In the real world, allowing for all the delays and the processes in the House, is the Minister talking about implementation by the autumn? Legislation on assisted decision-making has been in gestati…

I welcome that because I have fought for a long time to ensure the disabled would not be considered as having an illness but as a community or group of people who have to be supported so they can live their lives fully. Can I take it that responsibility for all those with mental and intellectual disabilities and so on will be transferred to the Minister and that acute medicine will remain in the hospitals? Can I take it that services such as those offered by the Brothers of Charity and Ability West will be transfer…

I dtosach báire ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann Noel Treacy. Bhí sé sa Dáil romham ach bhí sé ann píosa fada leis. Fear is oibritheoir iontach a bhí ann agus aireoimid uainn é. The point made by Deputy Clarke and the statistics she quoted regarding sexual interference, rape and sexual behaviour in colleges are quite scary and need urgent action. It is doubly scary because we are talking about what we believe to be the most educated and informed generation ever. There can be no tolerance for what that s…

Mar is eol don Aire, tá an-bhuairt ar thuismitheoirí le gasúir ag a bhfuil Gaeilge mhaith acu mar tá scéal ann go mbeidh dhá churaclam Gaeilge ann ach nach mbeidh buntáiste dá laghad ann dóibh siúd a dhéanann an ceann is dúshlánaí. Cén uair a dhéanfar an cinneadh seo? Cén uair a chuirfear deireadh leis an tseafóid seo go mbeadh dhá churaclam ann agus na marcanna céanna as an gceann éasca agus a bheadh as an gceann deacair?