John McGuinness

I welcome them all to the Public Gallery. They are here at the invitation of the Minister of State.

I hope they enjoy their day here in Leinster House.

Deputy Ryan O’Meara has another group. It is important to acknowledge them all as they look in on our democratic process.

I am sorry for interrupting.

The Minister need not start again.

He can just start from where he left off.

The Deputy strayed a little from the Bill.

I welcome the Bill and commend the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, on his work in this area and that he has brought the Bill to Second Stage in the House for debate. I am sure it will be passed. The Bill is necessary but it is unbelievable that it has taken so long, albeit not under the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to bring such a Bill to the House. It is a Bill that is fundamental in terms of development,…

The Deputy should not be making statements that may identify individuals who are not here to defend themselves.

Deputy Lawless is really treading on unsafe territory. He cannot be drawing conclusions like he is doing-----

-----regarding people who hold positions and might be identified by his remarks. I ask the Deputy to refrain from giving the type of detail that might lead to that position.

You need to conclude, Deputy.

No, it was five minutes and Deputy Healy-Rae is there behind you.

There are 13 minutes left in the slot.

Deputy Healy-Rae need not take it all.

The Minister of State should conclude.

We are four minutes or more over time. With the agreement of the House the Taoiseach might want to deal with some of these questions as quickly as possible.

We will have to conclude.

Any other comments, please.

We are gone well over time.

That concludes Taoiseach's Questions. We will now move to the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025.

I am sorry but we are 11 minutes over.

The Taoiseach has said he will come back separately to each Deputy who has not received a response. Is that correct?

But if there are other issues------

I call Deputy Mark Ward.