Ruairí Ó Murchú

Obviously, it is incredibly frightening when you are dealing with the reality of underground schools. There is huge desire internationally for peace but the fear is Vladimir Putin is just playing along. The Ukrainian Government obviously has a desire for peace, but I imagine it would have to be on a sustainable basis. It has an appetite for real negotiations. We have seen attacks on energy infrast…

I welcome the Tánaiste's criticism of Russia's warmongering and cynical approach to peace talks. It is important that the international community escalate pressure in that regard. The Irish position has been that Ukraine must be at the negotiating table. There is an absolute logic to that. The European Union needs to be at that negotiating table also. Does the Tánaiste believe more is required fro…

We are watching genocide on a daily basis. It is incredible to many of us that there remains business as usual in trade, even preferential trade, between the EU and Israel. Too many countries have failed to raise their voices, as the Tánaiste has already mentioned to some degree. We have seen movement but we need more. We need the humanitarian conditions that exist in the EU-Israel association agr…

At this point, there is considerable urgency. We see what people are facing in Gaza. We are talking about the starvation of one in five people. More than 54,000 people have been killed. The most recent figure was 3,924 deaths since the so-called ceasefire. This is a terrible term to use, but Israel okayed 800 truckloads of aid last week. We hear that only 500 made their way in. It is obvious what …

In fairness, we have to put whatever pressure we can on the EU-Israel association agreement but we also have to deal with what we can domestically. On the occupied territories Bill, when will the scheme be sent to the committee? It is anxious to do the pre-legislative scrutiny, but the committee is not permitted to schedule scrutiny until it has received the Bill. The Tánaiste is well aware of the…

We have seen further highly provocative statements by the US President. Some of this is calculated, I have to assume, to spook and bully. We have obviously seen an element of a timeline further down the line with regard to us facing tariffs but it seems, unfortunately, we cannot dismiss them. What is the latest position with respect to engagement with the EU on countertariffs?

We all get the idea - tariffs and trade wars are bad for all concerned. What has been proposed by the President of the United States could fold a huge level of world trade. It would not be beneficial to America, Ireland or the European Union and would have a huge impact on the global economy, none of it good. I do not think anyone has come up with a way to win a trade war. I agree that we need co…

I will accept that there will not be clarity on the question of what exactly the package is going to look like. I have no doubt about that but I will ask the question. We are making the case for those sectors we would like to protect but every other state in the European Union is making the same arguments. It is necessary that we represent Irish views, needs and wants. We also have to deal with t…

Yes. I have already brought up this particular issue. The Tánaiste is going to be dealing with the issue of services until we see delivery. The timeline is vital. I agree with Deputy Murphy. The Tánaiste has to elaborate to some degree on what the legal issues are. It cannot be beyond us to find a solution in order that we can deliver the occupied territories Bill as soon as possible and before we…

In the West Bank, people face regular slaughter and what is modern-day colonisation and land grabbing. In Gaza, the Palestinians are facing wipeout. Time is not on our side. Legal minds' belief that it is possible to include services is already in the public domain, whatever the Tánaiste's conversations are going to be with the Attorney General. Those conversations would need to be positive but th…

I ask the Tánaiste to outline his engagements and position regarding the Mercosur trade agreement. We know the issues that exist for Irish farmers in this regard. They are afraid of 100,000 tonnes of South American beef entering the EU at the expense of deforestation. That means our farmers will need to do more while receiving less from the CAP. We are talking about this in the context of the Iris…

The Tánaiste is well aware of the fears in rural Ireland and particularly among farmers. I was worried when we had that briefing in the AV room where it was stated that, to a degree, all deals were done. It is unacceptable if this is a take it or leave it-type scenario, which is the way it was proposed. I ask for detail on the engagements that are happening. What are the engagements with the Europ…

The Tánaiste has indicated that we will have some element of clarification by the end of quarter 2 as to what the agreement looks like but we still do not have clarity as to how agreement is to be determined. The Tánaiste is promising the State will be resolute in the sense of what we understand this agreement to be. Mercosur is utterly unacceptable and I cannot see how there will be any movement …

243. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on his recent engagement with the family of a person (details supplied) and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27220/25]

Up to 25 people, including British state agents, could be linked to this murder. We know that surveillance was lifted for agents under surveillance. We know there are a significant number of issues regarding absolute collusion. I agree with what was said earlier. This was British state policy in Ireland. It was a matter of taking out Irish citizens. We commend the family of Sean Brown, Bellaghy GA…

1. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent engagement with the US President. [22204/25]

Go raibh maith agat, a Thaoisigh. I imagine we have a very strained relationship at this point with the American Administration, and the European Union in particular does. While everyone welcomes the fact that the 50% tariff imposition is being put back until 9 July, supposedly after a really nice phone call - it must have been one hell of a phone call - what level of engagement has there been and…

14. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness will next meet. [22205/25]

My thoughts are with the taxi driver and the passenger with a disability who were carjacked yesterday in what was an absolutely disgusting attack in Dundalk at approximately 10.40 p.m. My thoughts are also with the lady who lost her life in a road traffic collision in Dunleer. The Garda has requested all the information people have on these events, and any footage, particularly dashcam footage, as…

Has there been engagement with companies regarding the dangers that may be faced, particularly those in tech sector?

We are all thankful to the whistleblower. The report that 80% of surgeries at Cappagh and 60% at Temple Street were not necessary should be shocking but unfortunately it is not. The Minister spoke about toxic behaviours in CHI. We have a history of issues in our health service, such as Michael Neary, Michael Shine, symphysiotomy and much more. It is a requirement that we deal with governance and a…

Can we get a mechanism for the payment of third party reviews as promised?

19. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work being carried out to examine how best a person-centred support model for learners with disabilities can be developed across further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25306/25]

What work is being carried out to examine how best a person-centred support model for learners with disabilities can be developed across further and higher education? I do not think the Minister will be particularly shocked at me asking this question. An element of this question relates to personal assistants, a topic I have spoken about many times. I refer particularly to personal assistants work…

Obviously, we all welcome the likes of PATH 4 funding. I suppose this is the whole idea in relation to course creation. From a capital perspective, too, there is the idea of making those reasonable accommodations that facilitate more people to be able to access further and higher education. Much work needs to be done. I visited several times the likes of some of the courses being funded. We have a…