I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 to 40, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs was established by the Government in 2025. It meets quarterly in advance of regular European Council meetings, and as required. Its role is to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union, including preparation for Ireland’s Presidency in the second half of this year, and international

issues. The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs last met on 26 February 2026 in advance of the meeting of the European Council on 19 March. At the March meeting of the European Council, leaders dealt with a very full and important agenda against the backdrop of a very challenging and volatile international environment. Substantial items discussed included the situation in the Middle East, including the impact on energy prices, Ukraine and economic competitiveness.

On the last of these, leaders agreed a programme of work to be completed in the period ahead that will be central to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council in the second half of the year. Other items on the European Council agenda included European security and defence, migration, the democracy shield, multilateralism and the protection of children online. There was also a euro summit which

assessed the state of the EU’s economy.

European leaders met again in Cyprus for an informal meeting of the European Council on 23 and 24 April 2026, where our discussions included geopolitical developments, the impacts of the war in Iran on energy prices and supply, and the EU’s next long-term budget, the MFF.

I also attended a European Political Community, EPC, summit on 4 May in Yerevan, Armenia. The EPC is an informal forum which brings together around 50 leaders from across the Continent of Europe twice a year to discuss co-operation on issues affecting the entire Continent, such as geopolitical uncertainty, economic security, trade, energy and connectivity. At the meeting President Zelenskyy gave a sobering update on the challenges he and the Ukrainian people face in confronting the continuing Russian aggression. I participated in a round table discussion with other leaders on how to improve European connectivity and economic security, as well as the pressures being faced by people as a result of the conflicts in Iran. I joined the Moldova core group meeting which focused on supporting Moldova on its pathway to accession to the European Union.

I also participated in the second meeting of the European Coalition against Drugs, co-hosted by President Macron of France and Prime Minister Meloni of Italy. I strongly support our focus on the collective fight against drug trafficking and drug-related threats. I also met with a number of leaders, including Prime Minister Starmer of the UK, President Guy Parmelin of Switzerland and Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. This was the first time a non-European leader has attended.

The Cabinet committee will continue to oversee preparations for and delivery of the rotating Presidency of the EU Council which we will assume in July.

It will be our eighth time doing so and we look forward to advancing the common European interest and improving the lives of citizens across the Union.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Irish Ministers will chair many dozens of formal meetings of the Council in Brussels and Luxembourg, and they will lead work to advance a positive policy agenda for all member states. We will host an informal meeting of the European Council and a meeting of the European political community in Dublin next November. In addition, up to 22 informal meetings of EU Ministers will be held in Ireland, with around a quarter of these meetings outside Dublin.

The next meeting of the Cabinet committee is scheduled for 18 May.

There have been some significant developments in recent days around the conflict in Ukraine, including a temporary ceasefire and comments from the Russian President about a willingness to enter into dialogue. We have also recently seen an EU member state hold an election, the outcome of which might signify an easing of its stance towards the bloc's enlargement. Will the Taoiseach provide an update on where we stand with Ukraine’s membership application?

This morning at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, we heard from witnesses from the University of Limerick’s Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems about the concerns regarding AI-enabled drones and how drone warfare is impacting the battlefields in Ukraine after Russia’s illegal invasion. Given that the Taoiseach will have seen drone attacks at the European Council meeting in Copenhagen last year, and we have seen them here in Ireland as well, will he assure the House that the technology will be in place to repel any potential drone attack during our Presidency of EU Council meetings?

The EU is reviewing its relationship with Israel due to the ongoing humanitarian conditions in Gaza, the settlement expansion and the International Court of Justice, ICJ, provisional measures. The Commission is reported to be considering targeted sanctions on violent settlers as well as a suspension of trade preferences under the association agreement. Has the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs considered these measures on Israel as part of the wider European context?

We are leading out on the European Presidency from July. Can we bring a focus on the cost-of-living issues throughout Europe and use European institutions, such as European competitiveness and competition law, in relation to the price of groceries? Up to 35% of families are spending a third of their disposable income on groceries each week.

I do not know how the Taoiseach can look the leaders of some EU member states in the eye given their complete and utter disregard for what Israel is doing to the people of Palestine. I also want to mention Lebanon and the brutal methods being used there. One in five of the population has been displaced and a total of 2,846 people have been killed, 552 of whom were killed after the ceasefire. Villages are being razed with the methods learned in Gaza, such as the use of bulldozers. There is an illegal occupation of southern Lebanon. What is our Government doing? It is normalising the Israeli State. For example, it is urging players to take part in the disgraceful games coming up in September and October. That is what it is. There is also no occupied territories Bill. The Government will not do something as simple as telling players they do not have to play this game and demanding that Israel should be kicked out of UEFA, like they should be kicked out of Eurovision. Instead, it is pushing the players.

Is it 30 seconds or three minutes?

Shush. People are going take the law into their own hands and organise a campaign. Stop the Game was launched last week. Many high-profile sports people, personalities and politicians are now gearing up to organise to stop that game, and I think it will be stopped.

Would Deputy Ó Cearúil ever whisht, for goodness sake?

You whisht.

It was a ridiculous comment.

There are rules in the House and you are going on way longer than anyone else.

So?

There is no respect for the rules of the House.

When are we going to see the occupied territories Bill in relation to services and goods? When will we ever see any action by the European Union with regard to the EU-Israel association agreement given the breach of the ceasefire, plans for further settlements in the West Bank and attempts by Israelis, through ethnic cleansing and every other means open to them, to create a security buffer zone in Lebanon?

I cannot mention Lebanon without mentioning our UNIFIL mission there, as well as Seán Rooney. In the parliamentary questions I submitted, I did not receive any update on the ongoing appeal process in Lebanon. The report of the independent inquiry led by Michael Delaney is now with the Attorney General. When will it be published, or at least delivered to the family of Seán Rooney?

Irish unity is now moving from an aspiration to a live constitutional question. The responsibility on the Government is to ensure we are not just commenting on that reality but actively preparing for it in a serious and structured way. If unity is to be achieved, it will not emerge from sentiment alone. It will require detailed constitutional, economic, health, educational and governance planning. This is not about accelerating a process. Rather, it is about ensuring readiness for one of the most significant constitutional developments in the history of this State. What concrete work is the Government undertaking to prepare for Irish unity? Rather than just discussing it, we must plan for it in a comprehensive and credible way, should the people of this island choose that path.

It is becoming almost impossible to find words to describe the dehumanisation of Palestinians by the Israeli State. In recent days, a Palestinian family in the West Bank buried their 80-year-old father. Israeli settlers then arrived and claimed the cemetery land as part of a settlement. The family was forced to exhume his body and rebury him elsewhere under the watch of Israeli soldiers. This is all part of an escalating campaign of terror, displacement and annexation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Yet, the occupied territories Bill, which would cut trade links with these illegal settlements, remains in cold storage. That Bill was voted through by a majority of TDs in January 2019, introduced by current Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins. We all know it has been obstructed because of diplomat pressure dressed up as legal complexities. History will not look kindly on the cowardice and dishonesty of the Government in respect of this Bill when such destruction and evil are being visited upon the Palestinian people. When will the Taoiseach finally intervene to progress this Bill?

I echo the urgency for the occupied territories Bill to be passed. I welcome the Minister, Deputy McEntee’s confirmation in the Dáil last week that it is to be introduced soon. It is not quick enough, however.

Regarding the Taoiseach’s statement on EU engagement he had in March, what other engagement has happened between Ireland and the German Government on how its plug-in solar scheme was adapted? It is a quick investment. The savings would be seen in customers' bills. I did my own calculations. Some €150 million to €250 million - if we are being optimistic – would be saved by apartment dwellers immediately from a modest investment of €250 million.

Ireland is one of the lowest rank countries when it comes to protecting nature. A total of 90% of protected sites are in unfavourable condition. It is going to cost hundreds of millions of euro to restore nature across this island. Where will that funding come from? Is the Taoiseach having any conversations at a European level about funding nature restoration?

On Thursday, People Before Profit will bring the Sanctions against the State of Israel Bill before the Dáil. It asks the Government to act on its obligation under the Genocide Convention to prevent the commission of genocide by the State of Israel. It is an obligation we have. It calls for comprehensive economic, financial and trade sanctions against a state that is guilty of genocidal actions. Is the Government intending to support that Bill given it is a signatory of the Genocide Convention? The Bill also refers to our commitments under the Rome Statute as well as to other international legal obligations.

The Taoiseach rightly says that Israel has committed genocide in Palestine. I do not know whether he accepts that Israel is still committing genocide in Palestine but surely that has to mean something in terms of what he does. Surely it is a contradiction for him to say that Israel is committing genocide and then spend his time trying to ensure we do nothing to punish, impact or prevent the continuation of that genocide. Does the convention on genocide mean anything to the Taoiseach? If it does, he will vote to support our Bill for comprehensive sanctions on Israel. The idea that a state can continue in this way without comprehensive sanctions by any state that claims to stand up for human rights makes no sense whatsoever.

Has the Taoiseach spoken to the incoming First Minister of Wales and leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth, or with the current and likely future First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, following last week’s seismic election results? In the context of the growing constitutional change taking place across these islands, does he intend to meet them alongside the First Minister and deputy First Minister in the North to discuss future relationships and co-operation?

We await with bated breath the occupied territories Bill being progressed. Will the Taoiseach make it a primary objective of our Presidency of the EU for this country to advocate on behalf of the Palestinian state? Will he place that front and centre with our EU partners?

Does the Taoiseach think our underinvestment in Garda resources is going to come back to bite the Government during the course our Presidency? I have a letter from Garda HQ which states that the development of new Garda stations in the Swords and Donabate, which have populations of 60,000 to 20,000, respectively, are not going ahead.

Ireland is the largest exporter of alumina, the key component of aluminium, to Russia. We are exporting almost 1 million tonnes of it a year. This is being used by Russia to make the drones and missiles that are being used to kill Ukrainian men, women and children. Ukrainian civilians are being murdered with weapons and missiles made using materials supplied by Ireland. Why is Ireland supplying this key war component to Russia? Was the Taoiseach aware that the Irish State has lobbied for these exports to be shielded from sanctions? What action will he take about this matter?

The Israeli Knesset has approved, by a substantial majority, legislation that will permit the execution of Palestinian prisoners. This comes amid continuing international concern regarding the humanitarian catastrophe and genocide in Gaza, the treatment of Palestinian detainees and repeated warnings from human rights organisations regarding violations of international law. Most people in Ireland are deeply alarmed by measures of this nature, which risk further undermining the prospects for peace and accountability. What is the EU's response to this? How can the Taoiseach make sure that this is central to our EU Presidency?

I thank Members for their comments. I will begin with Deputy Shay Brennan, who referred to developments relating to the war in Ukraine. One of the more significant developments has been the unblocking of the €90 billion loan to Ukraine in the aftermath of the Hungarian election. That sends a real signal to Russia that Europe is in there for the long haul and that Ukraine will have the capacity, in budgetary terms, to invest in defending itself. That is significant. European Union leaders are looking at the idea of Europe opening up its own channel of negotiations with Russia at some stage. That is being tentatively explored and discussed, because we do need to bring an end to the war. The US-brokered dialogue has not yielded an outcome. We are very conscious of the need to protect the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Enlargement will feature as a key topic during the Irish Presidency. In our view, Ukrainian membership of the European Union in and of itself would afford some form of security and protection to Ukraine. Fundamentally, it is to say that to the Ukrainian people, who desire the freedoms that are attached to European Union membership, as opposed to what the situation might be if their country was to be taken over by Russia. We have to respond to the desires of the Ukrainian people, who do aspire to a European way of life in terms of democracy, freedom of speech and all of that. We will be progressing enlargement in the context of Ukraine. The precise form that will take has to be discussed by the various member states. Enlargement has been on the slow burner for the past decade. It has come into life more recently because of Russia's imperialist approach to many countries, including those in the western Balkans and Moldova. The latter have come under enormous pressure from Russia in the context of attempts to interfere in their elections. They have proved resilient enough. I met with President Maia Sandu recently. The whole Moldova and Ukraine piece around enlargement will be a key agenda item for us to see if we can progress it.

On technology, An Garda Síochána has substantially enhanced its technology capability with drones, as have our military and Defence Forces. It is interesting. Reference was made to the University of Limerick, UL. I visited the university's underwater drone capacity research centre. It was a very insightful visit, and the research is ground-breaking. Ireland will be playing a role in protecting subsea cables, for example, and the gas connectors with the United Kingdom.

On Deputy Ó Cearúil's question on sanctions, there has been big progress with the European Union. Many member states are coming around to the Irish and Spanish position. Despite what is said, Ireland and Spain were the first to call for a review of the EU-Israel association agreement, and a lot more countries are coming around to our view. A breakthrough has happened in terms of sanctioning settlers, and a number have been identified. That was blocked by Hungary for quite some time but has now been lifted. There has also been progress with regard to sanctions on Hamas leaders. That is some bit of progress. There is more work to be done about the association agreement. The Minister updated the Cabinet on that this morning.

The behaviour of Israel is reprehensible. I will deal with that again later in respect of other questions. Active work is being done by the Irish Government with others at European Union level, at the Foreign Affairs Council and at the European Council.

With regard to Deputy Martin Daly's question, the cost of living will be a theme in the context of the energy crisis. Interestingly, and rightly, Deputy Daly has focused on groceries and food prices for hard-pressed families. In the context of the budget, we will be looking at how we can reduce the pressure on families in that regard, and particularly for those on the lowest incomes who inflation hits the most. I take on board what Deputy Daly has said.

On Deputy Coppinger's question, we are not urging anyone to play anything. I wish we could have a decent debate about this, but I get the feeling that the Deputy is more interested-----

You said it should go ahead.

-----in attacking the Irish Government as opposed to the Israeli Government at times. That is what it feels like in this House. In the context of all the protests and all the agitation, it is the Irish Government that the Deputy is attacking-----

And vice versa.

We were the first to intervene in the context of the genocide when South Africa took a case before the ICJ. We were the first European State to intervene in that legally and make a strong submission in that respect. We gave additional funding to the ICC in respect of what was happening in Gaza and in the Middle East to support it and give it the resources and capacity. We were one of the earliest to go in and defend UNRWA and fund it substantially when others were not. Likewise, there have been other measures such as supporting human rights organisations, such as those referred to by Deputy Heneghan. We have been doing that even when they came under a lot of pressure. The Irish Government has done a lot. If you ever meet the Palestinian or Lebanese Governments-----

I meet them every day.

-----they thank the Irish Government, and they thank the Irish people for their support.

They do not.

I met with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, recently when he attended after the informal EU Council meeting. He cited the Irish experience in terms of the peace process and conflict resolution as a basis for how the Lebanon-Israel situation and the Palestinian question could be resolved. That is the other side of the coin. We want to be part of solutions and we want to use our experience in conflict resolution to help in that regard.

On Deputy Ó Murchú's question about the occupied territories Bill, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, has engaged with the Attorney General on that. I have made it very clear that I do not believe services should be included in the Bill. That would damage Ireland more than anything. It is largely a symbolic Bill. It will not have any practical significant impact on the ground, but nonetheless it will come before the House. We all need to honest and clear about that. When the detailed analysis was done-----

If it is symbolic, why would it damage Ireland?

-----I think it emerged that about €190,000 worth of goods has come in. Others go through Antwerp and do not come directly into the country. A lot of work has been done on that and the Minister will come back to the House on it. At European Union level there is a real push to see can we suspend the trade association agreement.

The UNIFIL mission is on all of our minds. I keep in regular contact with the Chief of Staff, as does the Minister for Defence. I raised the Seán Rooney case and the appeal with the Lebanese authorities when I was in Lebanon. Hopefully, we will see some progress on that.

And the report?

On Deputy Cleere's question, more work has been done on understanding the differences between North and South in the last four years than was done in the previous 100 years. We have invested hugely in research on all aspects of education and health and the differences between the health systems in the North vis-à-vis the Republic, and school completion rates in the North vis-à-vis school completion rates here. The ESRI has done a lot of good studies around primary care in the North versus primary care in the Republic.

We have funded research projects between universities. We are now looking at the first potential all-island university, involving Queen's University and Dundalk. This is being funded through the shared island initiative. This has probably been one of the more radical and impactful initiatives the Government has ever undertaken in the context of North-South relations. It has been broadly welcomed and well received across all communities. The research piece is working well. The Narrow Water bridge project will hopefully be completed in late 2027. We are going to go the whole way and complete the Ulster Canal project . It is about enhancing connectivity. We have an all-island musical archive for music from different traditions.

On biodiversity, we have an all-island network and another on climate and so on. Am I out of time?

I have shown the Taoiseach some latitude.

I will come back to the Deputy on that.

On the other matters, I think I have dealt with the Palestine issue for Deputy McQuaide.

Deputy Heneghan inquired about plug-in solar. There are some issues which the Minister spoke to me about. If you have plug-in solar, some houses have to have the capacity to absorb. However, I think the Minister is in favour and is trying to develop it.

On nature restoration, I am working with the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, to ensure a good funding profile for nature restoration in the medium term, as per the report that was published recently by the independent advisory committee chaired by Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shuilleabháin. That is on my radar and my agenda.

I dealt with Deputy Murphy's question about the ICJ and the ICC.

What about our Bill on Thursday?

On Deputy O'Callaghan's question about Ireland being the largest exporter of alumina to Russia, again, that has not formed part of the sanctions. This is because the product from the factory is also important to wider industry in Europe. When imposing sanctions, we have always endeavoured not to harm ourselves more than anybody else when it comes to Russia. I will get the information for the Deputy, but there is an importance ere to European-wide industry as well in the context of what is produced in Limerick.

What about our Bill on Thursday?

We now will move on to statements on International Nurses Day.

The Deputy will get the answer on Thursday.

What about the Michael Delaney report?