Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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I echo what the Chair said regarding the remit of this committee. I am also on the Dáil reform committee. It seems there will be very little give in terms of what the Government side is prepared to do in expanding the remit of this committee. That is disappointing. We are hoping to have an urgent change to expand the remit. If, ultimately, we almost end up midwifing it towards the next committee, we are here in any case, and we hope we will have the Minister's support on improving the remit. As Deputy Ó Laoghaire said, if we are serious about national security, we need to be serious about the remit of this committee.

I welcome the Minister's statement and the moves she has made in relation to the external grievance system for interpersonal issues, sexual harassment, bullying and victimisation. Given the work she did in this area as Minister for justice, she brings real credibility to gender-based violence and harassment issues. I hope that we see this develop into some real action. I also welcome the publication of the maritime security strategy yesterday.

Does the Minister expect the defence (amendment) Bill to pass all stages in the Dáil before we assume the EU Presidency?