I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 to 32, inclusive, together.

I undertook a four-day programme of engagements in the United States, visiting Philadelphia and Washington DC to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. My programme began in Philadelphia, where I met Irish community and business representatives, as well as Congressman Boyle, with whom I participated in the St. Patrick's Day parade. While there, I laid a wreath at a statue of Commodore John Barry, who founded the US Navy, and visited Independence Hall, where the US Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago. I also attended a gala dinner of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick, and I cut the ribbon on the Irish Diaspora Center's new premises, which carries out excellent work on behalf of the Irish community in Philadelphia and is supported by the Irish Government's immigrant support programme.

In Washington DC, I attended the embassy's St. Patrick's Day reception, which was attended by a large number of people from political, business, diplomatic and community backgrounds. I also attended the Ireland Funds' annual gala dinner. The Secretary of Transportation, Sean P. Duffy, was an honouree at this year's event.

On St. Patrick's Day itself, I met Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, who hosted me and my wife, Mary, for breakfast in his residence. I met President Trump for a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, where we discussed the contribution of Irish and Irish-American people to the development of the US, current bilateral relations, including our strong economic ties, and global issues. The meeting was also attended by Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

I also presented President Trump with the traditional bowl of shamrock to mark St. Patrick's Day at a ceremony and reception in the White House. The attendance included a number of senior representatives of the Administration, including members of the Cabinet, with whom I had the opportunity to engage.

I attended a Friends of Ireland lunch on Capitol Hill, hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson, with whom I also had a bilateral meeting at which we discussed bilateral relations, political developments in the US and international issues. While on Capitol Hill, I also met the Friends of Ireland Caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Richie Neal and Mike Kelly. The meeting was attended by a number of other representatives, including Mary Gay Scanlon of Philadelphia.

While in Washington, I also had a programme of economic engagements, including a breakfast hosted by Enterprise Ireland and a business leaders' lunch hosted by Ireland's enterprise agencies, at which I presented the Research Ireland academic and enterprise medals. I met the Strategic Economic Advisory Panel and discussed recent trade and economic developments. I also attended an event hosted by Stripe.

We already debated the issue of the Taoiseach's St. Patrick's Day meeting with Donald Trump, a misogynist, homophobe, transphobe, genocider, funder of genocide in Palestine and convicted rapist but-----

Deputy, please. That is in the Deputy's opinion. I ask that-----

That is an actual fact.

He is still a world leader.

I am going to go on because I am not having my time cut short.

The Taoiseach now seems to find and be able to separate out reasons why he should do these things. The latest is that he says sport and politics should not mix, and he has said that in relation to the Irish team playing Israel. Yet four of his MEPs obviously do think sport and politics mix because they have signed a complaint about Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, and the farce of a World Cup that is being held right now, where a Somali referee was turned away, the Iranian team had to go to Mexico and three other teams were refused entry into the country and had to locate elsewhere because of the travel bans.

The US is descending towards fascism. That is the reality of it. I do not know if the Taoiseach has any regrets about his visit. Nobody has any issue with him meeting the diaspora - we are all in favour of that - but there is an issue with normalising somebody like Donald Trump in the current climate.

A few weeks ago, we saw the AI company, Claude, switching off its Fable and Mythos models after engagement with the US Government. We are particularly vulnerable in Ireland because many of the public services are aligned with, and using, Microsoft and Copilot, which is AI software. There is a fear that something like what I have mentioned could happen with the likes of Microsoft in the future. I am not saying it will but it could. What we need to be considering from a European perspective, and I ask that the Taoiseach consider this during the EU Presidency, is the development of sovereign AI between the EU, Canada and the UK, with which we have shared values. That is a way we can move forward on artificial intelligence, particularly in a European context.

As part of his visit, the Taoiseach visited Villanova University, a critical university in terms of Irish athletics. For the past number of years, I have had an intern from Villanova working with me. Part of the success has been around the exchanges that have happened over many years.

There had been a threat to the Fulbright programme. I am glad to say it is back on schedule. Recently, as the Taoiseach knows, the de Chastelain programme allowed for exchanges with Canada. I hope we can continue to build long-term relationships with the likes of the Fulbright and de Chastelain programmes. Would the Taoiseach consider extending some of the programmes to second level schools in the same way as schools in Ireland can exchange with European schools under the Erasmus programme? I refer to extending the possibilities to North America as well.

I welcomed the Taoiseach's visit to the US. He represented Ireland's interests extremely well. He reminded America that it is a two-way street in terms of economic collaboration, with Ireland being the fifth largest source of foreign direct investment, FDI, in the US, investing close to $390 billion in the American economy, with 200,000 people directly employed there, and $476 billion in FDI coming from the US.

The Taoiseach defended the EU and European values, and he countered the false narrative that Europe was being overrun by migrants. He won respect for his defence of Keir Starmer, who has done so much to restore UK–Ireland relations after a very difficult UK–EU Brexit negotiation process. In saying all that, he also identified the fact that the EU needs to develop indigenous new technologies such as in AI, social media and pharma, and increase competitiveness to enable research and growth to develop self-reliance and resilience.

The Taoiseach originally told us the occupied territories Bill could not be enacted because of legal constraints. More recently, he admitted that the real obstacle, in his eyes, is the fear that American companies might abandon Ireland. This is despite the fact that his own party not only voted for this Bill in 2019 but actually introduced it to the Dáil on behalf of Senator Frances Black. He promised voters during the general election campaign of 2024 that he would enact it.

Is there any level of mass murder, State terror, forced displacement or land theft visited upon Palestinians by the Israeli state that would move him from words of condemnation and appeals for a unified European approach that may never materialise to meaningful trade sanctions and the proper enactment of that 2019 Dáil vote? What exactly is he asking us to believe? Is it that companies operating in Ireland for commercial advantage, access to talent and access to the EU market and tax purposes will forfeit all of that just because Donald Trump might throw a tantrum about Ireland refusing to facilitate illegal settlement trade with a genocidal apartheid state?

The vast majority of data centres in Ireland are owned by American technology multinationals. As the Taoiseach knows, data centres are swallowing up increasing amounts of our electricity. They are putting the grid under enormous pressure. The costs in relation to constraints and bottlenecks are so high now that energy companies have to switch off their turbines and energy users have to pay those energy companies to switch off their turbines. Network stabilisation is now one of the biggest elements of electricity bills.

Data centres' insatiable thirst for gas means that we are always pushed into the marginal pricing that gas increases. The Government's policy is part of that problem. Tomorrow we will see massive hikes in the cost of electricity. Will the Taoiseach ensure that the price of electricity for data centres is increased so domestic users will get a reduction in price? Have data centres played any part in his discussions with Donald Trump or the American regime in terms of foreign direct investment?

Over the past week or two, we have seen a fast-tracking of the liquefied natural gas, LNG, Bill through the Dáil.

This is a big mistake. There are still a lot of questions about the rationale for this particular project. I understand that when the Taoiseach met with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, he said, "... I'm hopeful that we'll soon reach a deal to sell American liquefied natural gas - and that’ll bring down your deficit a lot - so I think you have to make this deal with us, you better do something." Did those comments by Donald Trump have any impact on the speed at which the Government is putting through the liquefied natural gas, LNG, facility? Have any of the Taoiseach's Ministers or officials had any conversations with US representatives in relation to an LNG deal with the US?

Deputy Coppinger put words into my mouth. I did not use those specific words about sport and politics but I did say that I do not think the Irish football team should be disadvantaged by the issue of the Israeli-Ireland game.

It could have been one of the Taoiseach's Ministers.

I did not use that phrase so let us be clear about that. I do not want Irish football to be the victim. There are issues with FIFA, as we know. It would not cost FIFA a thought the Irish football team were to be relegated or whatever, and if there were consequences for seedings and if Irish football was set back by potentially a decade. That is an issue.

On the visit, the relationship with Ireland is significant for a number of reasons. In terms of the economic relationship, it is extremely important. It puts a lot of bread on the table. It is very important for Irish jobs. President Trump is the democratically elected President of the United States. Whether the Deputy likes that or not is beside the point. He is democratically elected. Successive taoisigh have visited successive presidents of the United States as a way of symbolising the historic and deep relationship between our two countries. The 250th anniversary coming. America will celebrate the Declaration of Independence. Three of the signatories of that declaration were born in Ireland. Approximately 12 had Irish connections. Our relationship is deep and familial, diasporic, economic, cultural and artistic. Visiting the White House and the President is a symbol of all of that, and is an important moment. All the agencies of the State are engaged that week in particular, right across the United States and right across the world. That has strong outcomes for Ireland in job creation, tourism and investment globally as well as in the United States.

Deputy Ó Cearúil raised a significant issue about the decision about Fable and Mythos and the restriction put on it. There is an issue around sovereign AI. I met representatives of companies in Canada who made that point to me. There are issues about how we deal it because it is not simple. There is a real issue coming down the tracks if that practice were to continue. I discussed it with Prime Minister Carney. It could lead to a two-tiered scenario, which could have negative implications globally. It is a very significant and serious issue.

Deputy Malcolm Byrne is correct about the importance of scholarship programmes between the United States and Ireland. I visited Villanova University. The head of coaching at Villanova is a former schoolmate of mine, Marcus O'Sullivan. He is a world champion from Turner's Cross. He was the year behind me. I saw him as a young guy running in Corca Dhuibhne when we were down there for a month with Coláiste Chríost Rí. I did not realise he subsequently became a world champion but he did. He now heads the coaching operation in Villanova University. I met a chap called Charlie O'Donovan, an ex-Coláiste Chríost Rí youngster, who has run a sub four-minute mile. The Villanova connection with Ireland is long-standing, with Eamonn Coughlan, Ronnie Delaney and all the milers, in particular. It has been phenomenal in its impact on Irish athletics, so it was very good to visit. It is famed in song and story and in athletics, in particular.

On extending it to second level schools, that is a very good idea. I will talk to the ambassador and others to see how we could progress that. I have always looked for legal channels of engagement with the United States. I would never recommend that any young person should go to the United States illegally. It is not a journey that a young person should even contemplate because its lifelong implications can be difficult and challenging. We should open as many legal channels of engagement as possible. I was involved with the former deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, in doing the graduate working holiday agreement back in 2008 or 2009. I would certainly look at that second level exchange.

I thank Deputy Martin Daly for his affirmative comments in respect of my visit to the United States. The economic relationship, as the Deputy outlined well, is enormous. Sometimes it almost amuses me the degree to which it is simply dismissed by certain Deputies in the House as something of no value and that should not feature at all in our consideration of what we do on occasions such as 17 March every year. Thumbing your nose at people and ignoring various people elected to office on the basis of their politics, and not taking on board the damage and consequences for Irish people, is another form of irresponsibility. I appreciate the comments that the Deputy has made. We used the occasion, as the Deputy said, to affirm Europe, European values and the European lived experience, which some in the United States continue to decry. Europe is a good place in which to live. It is a very positive place in its diversity, multiculturalism and freedom of speech. We should never be afraid to champion the positives of what Europe has to offer.

On our side, our companies and SMEs are doing well in the United States. Those who engage or scale up in the United States are doing particularly well and many of our companies are exporting and creating jobs in the United States.

Deputy Quaide ignored completely the significant work the Government has been doing over recent years, at a European level and globally, on the question of Palestine and the appalling Israeli war on the people of Palestine. The Government recognised the State of Palestine, along with Spain and then Slovenia. We were the only EU member state, although Spain eventually joined, to participate in the South African case. We joined that case, which went for judgment in the International Court of Justice, ICJ. We have moved resolutions at the United Nations. The Deputy ignored all of that. He asked how much more murder it will take.

How about enacting a Bill that you voted for?

I mean no disrespect but what a horrible way to put it.

What about enacting a Bill that you voted for?

The Deputy has had his time.

It is as if the Deputy has a monopoly on moral rectitude in respect of this. The Irish Government is known internationally for its strong stance in defending Palestinians and self-determination. The occupied territories Bill is the latest issue that has arisen. It will not be of any consequence in actuality and will impact less than €200,000 worth of goods. However, it is symbolic. That is largely its import and impact. That is the reality.

The Minister is bringing the legislation forward. It is going through the House at the moment and I presume it will be passed. It is another advance on ten to 15 decisions we have taken. Ireland was foremost in defending the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, for example, when it was under real threat from some within the previous European Commission at the time. We intervened to stop the haemorrhaging of funds from UNRWA. We doubled down by doubling our contribution to UNRWA. We have done a fair bit. Most Palestinians accept that, and not only just accept it, they thank us every time we meet them. What is happening is still horrendous. The killing of innocent children and women is shocking. We cannot get agreement at European level. Different member states have different positions, and still do, in respect of the atrocities that are occurring, and continue to occur, in particular with the prevention of humanitarian aid getting into Gaza and the lack of proper implementation even of phase one of the recent peace deal and cessation of violence.

Deputy Tóibín raised data centres. Over the past five years, we have slowed down the development of data centres a lot. Data centres are vital for the digital world in which we live. That is just the reality. We have to develop significant capacity on the energy front to be able to deal with the AI revolution and further growth of any data centres.

The CRU has produced a large energy user policy. It creates a framework to allow for further data centres to be built in circumstances where they use 80% renewable energy. We are some distance away from where we were in the growth of data centres, but they are not the great evil that people, including the Deputy, portray them to be.

I did not have any discussions with President Trump about data centres. America is just ploughing ahead and getting them done in six to nine months. It is a very different scene in, for example, Texas. We have to measure this. Data centres use up a lot of electricity - the Deputy is correct about that - and there are issues, but they are also an important part of the broader technology area and in the growth of investment in the country. They cannot be dismissed. Moratoriums on their own would not be positive, but we have to proceed in a measured way from here on.

For Deputy Whitmore to conflate the LNG Bill with the visit to America-----

Where he told the Taoiseach to buy LNG.

The Deputy is scraping the barrel with that one. Excuse the pun.

The LNG facility is an energy security issue. It was raised under the last Government and documentation exists from the Department warning the last Government that if anything were to happen to gas interconnections with Britain, our economy would be in trouble within ten days. It would be totally irresponsible of any Government not to act on that advice. This is not a climate issue; it is an energy security issue. There is a need for honesty in the House about this matter. People in the Opposition keep saying it is an anti-climate measure, and deliberately so. That is not the case. We are not deliberately doing this to be anti-climate. We are doing it because we will need an alternative storage facility in the event of any disruption to the gas supplies to the country. Deputy Whitmore would be the first Deputy to attack the Government, if anything were to happen, for not attempting to provide for this.

It will take time, even at the pace we are going, to get this facility in place to give us the security we require. We need it. There is no other way out. It has been recommended by officials with responsibility for energy security. That is the context for it.