Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On Deputy Mac Lochlainn's point regarding the unification of our island and a poll, which I have yet to see but will read, my priority and that of the Government has been to get the institutions back up and running, working with the Deputy's colleague, the First Minister, and with the deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland, having a reset of Anglo-Irish relations and investing significant amounts in a shared island and shared future. There will be a legitimate conversation and debate to be had during the general election about what that next five years of work looks like. I am sure all parties will bring forward their ideas and I look forward to engaging constructively on that. If there is time to schedule a debate in the coming weeks, that is something we could consider at the Business Committee.

Deputies Bacik, Cairns, Pringle and Boyd Barrett raised the occupied territories Bill. The factual position is today the Tánaiste briefed the Cabinet on the revised Attorney General advice. The Tánaiste has reached out to the sponsor of the Bill, Senator Frances Black, who has done a lot of work on this issue. It is not that the Government has changed its mind or position; the Government has always wanted to use every lever at its disposal. It is the fact the reality has changed with the ICJ advisory opinion. That is what the legal advice is based on. We can agree or disagree on that but I am speaking to the Government's position. The ICJ advisory opinion places an obligation on member states in relation to what is unlawful occupation. In that context, the AG has now advised the Cabinet that there may be a pathway to try to progress legislation.

I will not get into, on the floor of the Dáil, the significant changes that may be required. That is a conversation for the Tánaiste to have with the sponsor of the Bill and with the Opposition. The Tánaiste is engaging with Senator Black. I am sure we can provide further engagement for the Opposition. I am happy to ask the Tánaiste to do that. I am doing that with the view to hoping I can sign a money message that allows the Bill to be considered in the context of amendments that certainly will be required by the Tánaiste. I do not want to get into a ruaille buaille on the timescale. This will be complex. There is a lot in this and the most important thing, first, is for people to be briefed on it. The Tánaiste has been in contact with the sponsor of the Bill already. I am happy to keep in close contact with party leaders on that.

On overflights and the new issue Deputy Boyd Barrett has raised, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has indicated he is happy to have that debate. If we have the ability to schedule it in the week the Dáil comes back after its recess, we are open to that.

See this speech in context