Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy also asked about the chemical, biological and nuclear assessment. I get updates from the Garda Commissioner quarterly. I get security briefings frequently in respect of the threats to Ireland. I regret to say that the threats are there, as the Deputy will appreciate, but I have confidence in An Garda Síochána in terms of what it is doing and the manner in which it confronts criminality. The front of The Irish Times today had an article about how, in Ireland, gun crime was at such a low level that the HSE had stopped recording it in hospitals. It was less than five people in 2024. That is an astonishing achievement for this country, particularly when we think of the proliferation of weapons around Europe and around the world.

With the greatest of respect, that has not happened because of politicians, although we deserve some credit for resourcing An Garda Síochána, but because of the work the Garda does in ensuring that, if it sees a threat of weapons coming into this country, it pounces on it immediately. The Garda deserves to be commended in respect of that.

I am aware of what the Deputy said about chemical and biological threats to our country. It is something we have to keep preparing for. I note what the Deputy said about the accreditation not being provided. I will have a look at that.

I am very disappointed that the Deputy was not invited to Templemore. I do not know if I have the authority to invite him.