Micheál Martin

-----Defence engage with each other in respect of this issue. Deputy O'Rourke raised two issues on the concerns in Navan-----

In Kells. My apologies. The Deputy raised concerns about break-ins and burglaries. I will relay that to the Minister for justice. I am sure the Garda will tackle that in a concerted way. That is very disturbing for the people concerned. Garda numbers are improving every time a new intake goes through Templemore. As a result, I expect that we will be able to get there. We have done good work in Dub…

The Minister is scrupulous in terms of the application of the law. I do not know what the background is to this. Maybe they do not want to prejudice the process. I do not know. I will check with the Minister for justice in respect of the report. I think the inquest is due, is it not?

Deputy Conway Walsh raised the issue of a former garda, Margaret Loftus, and members of An Garda Síochána. Again, there has to be clear rules in terms of our uniformed services, particularly our Garda and our military. There are rules in respect of people who are convicted of crimes. They should not serve. When people are charged, they are sometimes suspended pending the outcome of the investigati…

It just would not have made any sense, and that is why it was done. On Deputy Coppinger's question, through the shared island initiative, we support an all-island response to domestic and sexual violence. It is shocking, and Northern Ireland is a particular problem. I have discussed this with the First Minister and deputy First Minister at meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council. It was a…

The question is this. I am asking the Deputy his view. As they come into the country on a daily basis, where should people stay? Should they be on the streets? What is the solution?

We are under international legal obligations. This is a challenge-----

We do not have time now to discuss it, but I would gladly discuss it with the Deputy again.

I move: That Dáil Éireann reaffirms its confidence in the Government. I welcome this debate and the opportunity to again discuss important issues facing our people. Each of us here has a mandate and a duty to show respect for others and conduct a debate that shows respect for the people by acknowledging the full range of concerns at this deeply challenging moment in history. We need to talk abou…

On this issue and on the fundamental challenge of getting our country through a period of deep and rapidly evolving international challenges, I can say that as Taoiseach and as a Government-----

-----we are clear-sighted, resolute and determined to do what we need to do to protect and defend our social and economic progress.

You did, yes.

You went on your holidays.

With all the money we are spending?

No, I did not.

Ní aontaím leis an Teachta. Mar a dúirt mé inné, tá an Rialtas ag déanamh gach aon iarracht cabhair agus tacaíocht a thabhairt do dhaoine, go háirithe na daoine is boichte agus ar ioncam íseal sa tír seo. Sin a dhein muid inné leis an bpacáiste a d'fhoilsíomar. I disagree fundamentally with the Deputy in her assessment. The bottom line is that Sinn Féin voted against a reduction in diesel of 20 c…

No, they did vote against it last evening. They voted against the reduction.

If they had won last night, there would be no reductions at all.

That is the logical conclusion of their position. No attempt this morning is going to change that fact. We put forward measures last evening by resolution to reduce the cost of petrol and diesel, and Sinn Féin opposed it and voted against it. That was the wrong thing to do. It sums up their approach. In Northern Ireland, they cannot make up their minds. Two Sinn Féin Ministers are in charge of thi…

Sinn Féin's solution is billions, billions and more billions every month of the year. No matter what crisis arises, throw billions at it. That is its response. It has no substance as a party, absolutely none. Whatever issue arises, it just throws money at it. That is the answer to it. That is the incoherence of its response as a party - hopelessly incoherent, no substance to its policy, no clarity…

That is the position of Sinn Féin and has been-----

------during the Ukrainian crisis, likewise, where it has a similar destructive approach also.

It will be a long time before Deputy Carthy will ever be leader of Sinn Féin and this is not his moment.

Deputy Carthy had his opportunity with his counterpart. We came forward-----

-----with a package last evening which will reduce the cost of petrol and Sinn Féin voted against it.