Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My question is about the evacuation of our own citizens from Palestine and that region. We are one of the wealthiest countries in Europe. Does the Tánaiste not think it is time we had our own heavy lift capacity where we could go to any country in the world and evacuate our own citizens when they are in danger?

I will move on to the One China policy. I have constantly heard about this policy. Does anyone in government care about the constant threat that hangs over the democratically elected country of Taiwan? Does anybody take notice of what is going on with China constantly buzzing Taiwan to see how it will respond? At the end of the day we either respect democracy or we do not. If we respect democracy we should recognise Taiwan. We should open an embassy or representation office, as most other European countries have done, in Taiwan.

The Tánaiste mentioned the development of the system programme of €776 million. I wonder where all of this money goes. What oversight is there of all the money we are pumping into NGOs that might be used in the State if we needed it. It is time we had a look at that.

Article 13(11) of our Constitution is clear that, "No power or function conferred on the President by law shall be exercisable or performable by him save only on the advice of the Government." President Higgins criticised Ursula von der Leyen and what might be phrased as her solo run with respect to Europe. Did he not do exactly the same thing, or did he engage with Government before he made his statement, and did Government approve it? If not, is he not in breach of the Constitution? He has a responsibility. One person in Ireland speaks on foreign affairs, and I am looking at that person straight across the room from me. That is the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. This is not the first time the President has gone off on a wild goose chase. He is either reined in and reminded of his responsibilities or the Government already approved of what he said. It is one or the other.