Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the security of the IT systems in the Department of Health and all the other Departments, can we conclude we have adequate protection to deter and deflect all such attempts in the future?

Inflation is creating a problem and I have tabled numerous parliamentary questions about it to various Ministers. I accept that the fuel issue and the potential unrest in eastern Europe have had an impact. Is there any other way the Government can intervene with a view to lightening the burden of inflation that now presents itself and at least trying to ensure the trend will not continue?

My next question relates to Brexit, the Northern Ireland protocol and the suspension of the Northern Irish Assembly. To what extent can the Taoiseach advance the cause of dialogue and, perhaps, the shared island initiative while only the barest of political institutions are operating in the North? Does it present an opportunity to progress that area?

The Chairman made a point about women serving in the Defence Forces. My theory has always been that a duty of care applies within the body where an alleged offence occurs. Are the frameworks that are in place robust enough to deal with such matters as and when they arise?

My final question relates to due process. As we know, there was a case where public perception found against Members of the Oireachtas and private citizens who were employed elsewhere. By virtue of the public perception and the presumption of guilt, several of them ended up losing their jobs. The event was not a small thing and people will argue that is politics for you, but they were not all politicians. There was a difference of legal opinion and legal opinion was sought. As we know, every legal opinion is subject to challenge. Nevertheless, is there a case for the need to ensure due process and natural justice will prevail, rather than proceeding to a summary execution, as it were, whether or not a prima faciecase could be established before the ultimate taking place?