Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the Ceann Comhairle’s comments on former Deputy Joe Carey. I wish him, his wife Grace and his family the very best and I thank him for his service to this House, to my party and to the people of County Clare.

My understanding is that there was no dissent at the Business Committee to the Order of Business but new season, same old, so that is okay.

People have raised a number of issues here which, of course, we are happy to consider how best to facilitate through the Business Committee.

On the issue regarding the use of Irish airspace, to be clear, under Irish law and the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. In 2023, and to date in 2024, no applications have been received or exemptions granted for the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft to a point in Israel. In considering any application for such an exemption in respect of munitions of war, the Department of Transport will consult with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Justice on applications to determine if there are foreign policy or security considerations. This is a robust process. As the Minister for Transport has said, no exemptions were requested. He is engaging with the company and I will ask him to update the House when he has information. The position of the Government and of the people of Ireland is very clear in relation to wanting an immediate ceasefire and the bloodshed and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza to end.

Regarding Deputy Bacik's two very fair questions, I do not have a specific answer on the timing and on the commission of investigation. It is not that we do not wish to move on this. We do and with absolute vigour but we want to get it right. The Government has quite rightly empowered the Minister, Deputy Foley, to take the time to engage with the survivors. Let us try to get this process right because the next step is really important. If we get the process wrong, we will have failed survivors so we need to try to get this right.

Regarding Shine, a vile paedophile who has destroyed the lives of many people in this country, we are clear in relation to that. My colleague, the Minister for Health, is in consultation with the Attorney General in respect of the publication of the report and we are happy to keep the House updated on this and on potential next steps.

In response to Deputy O'Callaghan, the Central Bank of Ireland does very important work. I respect its forecasts. Many people provide forecasts but we have beaten the bank's forecasts over the past two years. We are consistently beating its forecasts. In its quarter 3 bulletin last year, it forecast 30,000 units but we delivered 32,695. In its quarter 3 forecast the year before, it predicted 23,500 and we delivered 29,851. We are getting well used to beating forecasts. We will beat it this year as well and the Department of housing and the Minister for housing tell me we are on track to deliver up to 40,000 homes. That is what we want to get to this year. On housing, I respect that there are consistent calls for a debate on the Housing Commission report and the likes. The Government is happy to facilitate that but we need to do that through the Business Committee.

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