Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Confidence in the Government's stated opposition to the EU Mercosur agreement has been further undermined in recent days by the withdrawal of Brazilian beef from sale across Europe and the fact an Irish MEP, Regina Doherty, from the Tánaiste's party, gave a full throated support for the deal on RTÉ radio - I am not sure if he heard her - contradicting the Government's stated position. I would appreciate if the Tánaiste answered my questions. What action has been taken by the Government to help construct a minority blocking mechanism at EU level to stop Mercosur? Can he state clearly to the House and, more importantly, to farmers that Ireland will vote against the deal at EU Council level? Can he take this opportunity to call on other member states to vote against the deal?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Doherty. The position of the Government remains the same and as outlined in the programme for Government in terms of our concerns regarding the Mercosur deal. A lot of significant work is being undertaken, in particular by the Minister for agriculture and other Government colleagues, to engage with other like-minded countries or those which have similar concerns about the Mercosur deal to ascertain whether the blocking minority remains in place. The Government still has concerns about the Mercosur deal, despite some of the protocols that have been announced. We continue to engage with those like-minded countries and will continue to engage directly with farming organisations. The Government's position has not changed.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Tánaiste not answer the question?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I call Deputy Ahern.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Will it vote against it and will you call on others to do so? Please answer the question.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I call Deputy Ahern.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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I asked simple questions.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I outlined that the Government-----

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Is Ireland going to vote against the deal?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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-----remains opposed to-----

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Government vote against the deal?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am not going to be heckled in the House.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Just answer the question.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I talk directly to farmers every day of the week.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Doherty, you have asked your question. The Tánaiste has answered. Can we move on to Deputy Ahern please?

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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The IFA called on the Tánaiste to clarify the position.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I talk to-----

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Earlier this week, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, waved the white flag on the M50. It basically said it is full and there is nothing it can do to address congestion. Commuters are stuck in their cars and wasting their time. The situation is costing our economy, climate and public health. Instead of focusing on the causes of this gridlock, which is a lack of public transport in this country, the Government has chosen this week to launch a transport plan that returns to old vices like building roads and bypasses while delaying much-needed public transport projects.

The Government is giving out about judicial reviews delaying critical infrastructure projects but DART south west has planning permission and is shovel-ready yet the Government has chosen to push it out to 2030 at the earliest. The same goes for the Fingal Luas and the Cork Luas. The Government is choosing to build a ring road around Galway rather than a Luas, despite the fact that the M50 is a perfect example of a ring road that just does not function any more.

Adding more lanes has simply added more cars and more congestion. We are failing to learn the lessons of the past. Will the Government rethink its plan and give the Dáil an opportunity to debate it in the House next week?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Ahern for his question. Obviously, in terms of debating these things, that is a matter for the Business Committee but I have no issue with debates taking place. There is a lot of legislation to get through between now and the Christmas break but I am sure there will be an opportunity to debate and discuss the transport plan. I would make a number of points on it. First, we are investing a very significant amount in the capital budget of the Department of Transport. Second, I do not think it is either-or in terms of road infrastructure or public transport. We need to do both and in all of our constituencies our constituents are keeping us under pressure to do both. Third, the NDP is not the final word on the matter. There will be an annual TII capital plan published for projects below €200 million. I am expecting the first of those to be published in January 2026. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to correspond with the Deputy on it.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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The trial of Kerry man Seán Binder begins today in Greece. As perverse as it sounds, Seán is going on trial for saving people's lives. In 2017, while volunteering with a search and rescue organisation in Greece, Seán saw rubber boats in distress off the coast of Lesbos. Instead of watching people drown, he and other volunteers rushed into the water to help. Thanks to their swift and courageous actions, lives were saved. Instead of receiving a bravery award from the Greek Government, Seán ended up in jail. Serious charges, including people smuggling and membership of a criminal organisation, have been pending since then. This trial is a travesty of justice. Amnesty has said that it is not just Seán who is on trial; humanity and solidarity are in the dock with him. If Seán is convicted, what kind of message will that send? Is it that migrant lives are so worthless that they should not be saved from drowning? Is it that if one does not stand back and watch them die, one will end up with 20 years in prison? Is the Tánaiste concerned about this case? Has he raised his concerns with the Greek Government? What support is the Irish Government providing to Seán?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Rice for raising this important issue. I want to treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves in terms of getting the latest update from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I will make sure that the Department makes contact with Deputy Rice today in relation to that issue. I will not say anything regarding an ongoing case in the European Union but I know that the consular service in support of our embassy is always very active in relation to these issues. I will link directly with our embassy and make contact with Deputy Rice later today in relation to this case in terms of seeing what supports are being provided and the latest view on the matter.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Like Deputy Rice, I want to raise the situation of Seán Binder and the 23 other human rights defenders who are appearing in court in Greece today. Their crime is volunteering as rescue workers and saving the lives of those who are distressed at sea. In the seven years since he was arrested, Seán Binder has posed this question, "If you come across somebody in distress, what do you check first, their pulse or their passport?". These human rights defenders now face up to 20 years in prison but this trial is not just solely about them. It is also about the broader message sent to those who choose compassion over indifference. If the Tánaiste could also update me when he gets a briefing from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on its specific intervention in this case, I would appreciate it. I ask him to speak to the issue of what this trial says about the broader question around the approach the EU is taking to people who are found in distressed conditions in these boats. What is the prioritisation here?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I will absolutely ensure that Deputy O'Gorman is also briefed in relation to this situation. I am being intentionally cautious in what I say until I speak directly to the Department of foreign affairs on this because of the active nature of the case that the Deputy has raised today. I appreciate the seriousness of it and appreciate the importance of timely intervention. I will seek the latest from the Department as soon as I leave here and will come back to Deputies Rice and O'Gorman on it shortly.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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I got a text from a constituent whose brother tried to commit suicide on Monday. He did not just try in one way. He slit his wrists and took an overdose. This man was not leaving anything to chance. He wanted to die. I have consent from his family to read out the text that was sent late last night to me:

We spoke yesterday about my brother in Mercy [hospital]. He's being discharged tomorrow to CUH for wrist surgery, but still hasn't had a proper mental health assessment. They claim he was seen, but it was only the nurse and the discharge letter says "low mood". No mention of his suicide attempt, no care plan discussed with the family. She just told him to call the Samaritans or his GP and get a taxi or arrange his own lift home. He's still suicidal and the family are desperate. The family rang the ED last night. They said he saw a specialist but couldn't say who and my brother insists he didn't. We, the family, are frustrated and angry. He has 24/7 observation inside for three days, yet they deem him fit for discharge. Where do we go from here?

Our mental health services have questions to answer here and in other cases too. The message in this text is simple. On Monday this man tried to kill himself and on Thursday he is being discharged from hospital and has to find his own way home. If he feels low again, he is to call the Samaritans or his GP. Where in the name of God does his family go to try to save his life? I fully respect that I am landing this on the Tánaiste's lap without warning but I would appreciate his help on this issue. It is a very serious matter.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Collins for raising what is clearly a very sensitive matter but he does so with the affected family's consent. I want to reply with the same sensitivity. I am conscious that this is a public forum but my heart goes out to that man and his family in what is an extraordinarily difficult and challenging time. I am also concerned by some of what the Deputy has said there. I will immediately ask the Minister for Health to look into that matter, engage with the Deputy and get back to him directly to see what can be done to assist.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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The guidelines for wind farms date from 2006. They have not kept up with advancements in technology. I am receiving representations from every corner of my constituency in relation to the inadequacy of guidelines for wind farms. Renewable energy is absolutely essential-----

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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The Deputy voted with the Government.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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The vote was last night.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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-----and we cannot regulate it out of existence, either for solar, wind or anaerobic digesters. Last year the Tánaiste said that the Government was listening and would revise the 2006 guidelines. Last night the Taoiseach gave a commitment to the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party that we would see draft guidelines for wind turbines next year. Setback distances, noise control and flicker must be part of this. Will the Tánaiste commit on the floor of the Dáil today that we will see draft guidelines for wind farms? Furthermore, can we get a commitment-----

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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And the vote last night?

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Lawless gets enough time in this House.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Order please, Deputy Lawless.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I have my time and I will not be interrupted.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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The Deputy is a hypocrite.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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He is a hypocrite.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Lawless and his party get more time than anyone else here, as glorified Independents-----

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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Hypocrite.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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-----and I will take my time to represent my constituents.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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And vote accordingly?

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Tánaiste also commit-----

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Allow Deputy O'Meara-----

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I am speaking for the people of north Tipperary-----

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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He is not voting for them.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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-----and north-west Kilkenny right now.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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Is he voting for them?

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I do not need Deputy Lawless to speak for them.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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Is he voting for them?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Lawless, order please.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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He can stand up here as a glorified independent and do what he will but I will speak for the people I represent and I will not be shouted down.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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Why not vote for them?

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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Vote for them.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Can I also get a commitment from the Tánaiste on guidelines for offshore wind farms? They are absolutely essential and have to be the future.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy O'Meara who represents the people of Tipperary North with distinction and hard work. I thank him for raising this important issue today, which he has also raised with the Taoiseach. This is an issue about which people right across the country feel very strongly. Indeed, I have had a number of meetings with a number of community organisations that are simply asking for the publication of guidelines to bring clarity to this and, as the Deputy rightly says, to update the guidelines. There was a debate in this House last night and the Government position is very clear that those guidelines will be published in 2026. That is the commitment the Taoiseach gave to Deputy O'Meara last night and I am happy to -----

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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That promise has been around for as long as the Tánaiste has been in the Dáil.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy just has to sit over there and ask us to do things; we actually have to do them. We will publish these-----

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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The Tánaiste promised that in 2015.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Tóibín, allow the Tánaiste to answer.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Deputy O'Meara makes a fair point. There are 48 of them. When he stands up to try to ask a question, the Deputies try to shout him down. They should give him a second. He is asking a question on behalf of the people of Tipperary North.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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I am just correcting the Dáil record.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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He has a right to hear from me on behalf of the Government. I thank Deputy O'Meara for raising the issue. We are actually going to deliver the guidelines and not just shout about it.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Licensed firearms, namely shotguns and rifles, have an important place in rural Ireland from their use in controlling vermin and predators to their use in protecting crops, livestock and poultry. Many of the groups representing licensed firearms users have expressed concerns about inconsistencies in the interpretation and implementation of firearms legislation. In 2016 a firearms consultative panel was established which brought together a number of groups including the Irish Farmers Association and the National Association of Regional Game Councils, but this panel has not met since 2019. It is my understanding that the Department is currently holding a series of meetings with individuals and experts. This is not the permanent forum for national representative groups that the leading organisations want. Will the Government consider reinstating the permanent forum for national representative groups advocating on behalf of licensed firearms users?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Clendennen for his question. This is an issue, as he rightly says, that has been discussed for quite a number of years. A consultative panel was established, as he says, in 2016. I understand that the Department of Justice is holding meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders in other ways, while An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations. The firearms consultative panel was a non-statutory forum comprising various firearms interest groups.

It last met in 2019. There was a breakdown in relations between some of the major firearms interest groups represented on the panel and the Department viewed that it was not possible for meetings to take place with all groups represented. One of the issues raised during the course of the engagements was the need for more regular and structured engagement between policymakers and firearms users. I understand the Department organised a series of engagements earlier this year. In February, three national forums were held with registered firearms dealers in Wicklow, Limerick and Carrick-on-Shannon, while a further two were held with firearms owners in Mullingar on 19 June. A new forum has been established by the Department involving more than 20 representatives of the shooting community and shooting stakeholder organisations. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, engaging with the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, to specifically consider the proposals the Deputy has made and whether any further action can be taken in that regard.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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With the school secretaries and caretakers pension dispute now referred to the Labour Court for 12 January, these dedicated staff are deeply anxious. They engaged in the process in good faith and ended their strike on the promise of a resolution. Given the recent breakdown at the WRC, the fundamental commitment to a fair pension comparable to teachers and SNAs and all their long years of service, will the Tánaiste give a direct assurance to these workers now that the Government will engage constructively with the Labour Court process to deliver this and will not, through inaction or inadequate offers, force them out on strike again?

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I agree with Deputy O’Rourke on the point that we all want to see a successful resolution to this. School secretaries and caretakers play an important role in our communities. They are engaging, as is the State, in good faith to try to make progress. I welcome the fact that it has now been referred to the Labour Court. The Labour Court has a strong track record of resolving such disputes. Of course, the State side will engage in good faith to try to find a resolution.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has been campaigning along with Kerry County Council for a CCTV system to be provided in Killarney town for over 20 years. Promises have been made and repeated time and time again. Promises were made that camera systems would be installed at several locations in the town centre and in key areas on the outskirts. The matter has topped the agenda of both the council and the chamber on a constant basis. Apparently, funding had been provided yet no progress has been made. I wish to acknowledge the tireless work of the local councillors in Killarney. The whole issue seems to have hit a roadblock. While there is lingering hope, there is no great confidence in the town that CCTV will be delivered until data protection issues are addressed. There has been considerable engagement between all stakeholders regarding CCTV cameras and, in particular, the preparation of a data protection impact assessment for the Killarney scheme. The final approval of that assessment is still awaited and no commencement date, project timeline or installation schedule has been provided. I plead with the Tánaiste to intervene and, maybe, speak to the relevant authorities, as well as An Garda Síochána and Kerry County Council.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this important matter for Killarney. One can see the compelling case for a need for this in such a vibrant and busy town. CCTV can play an important role in assisting the Garda and acting as a deterrent to crime. I am going from my memory but I thought the policing Act in this House brought in new kinds of structures to try to help to ensure clarity around how CCTV could be rolled out in areas where An Garda Síochána is seeking it. On foot of the Deputy raising it today, I will ask the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, to directly engage with the Deputy, the local authority and the chamber to see whether we can make progress on this.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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This Saturday will mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Aoife Winterlich who was a 14-year-old girl. She went on a trip with Scouting Ireland. The trip went on an unplanned excursion to Hook Head during a storm, which was not properly supervised. She fell in the water and drowned. A report commissioned by Scouting Ireland found there was no failure in its duty of care. Last year, however, after a long time, Scouting Ireland finally settled a court case that Aoife’s mother took against it and accepted liability. Since then, Scouting Ireland has refused to apologise for a failure of duty of care. In correspondence with Scouting Ireland, it says it is sorry for the loss of her daughter but it refuses to apologise for any failure in its actions. It has also not relooked at its report. It had a report that found it had no failure, but then it later accepted liability. It raises questions whether there are any lessons learned into the future for the organisation. Scouting Ireland is in receipt of public funds and I am asking whether any possible pressure can be applied on Scouting Ireland to do the right thing, apologise to Aoife’s mother for its failure and commission a new report.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My heart goes out to the family of Aoife. We think of them particularly as they approach the tenth anniversary. It sounds like the most horrifically sad and tragic situation. From what I recall, Scouting Ireland may receive money from the Department of children. If that is not the right Department, I will bring this matter to the relevant Minister’s attention and ask him or her to consider the Deputy’s point and liaise with him directly on the issue.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Despite the Government telling us for years that there was no need for a special school in County Monaghan, a sustained and dignified campaign by families of children with disabilities, which we in Sinn Féin were very proud to support, led to the announcement in the run-up to the last election that an interim special school would open. I am very pleased to say that that school has now opened but it was already clear beforehand – it has since crystallised - that additional capacity would be needed. Today, I am appealing to the Tánaiste to put the full force of the Government behind the campaign to deliver a permanent special school in Monaghan with the capacity for every child who needs it. In too many instances, we have special schools operating in interim or temporary accommodation. That has to end. We need the plans for the permanent school in Monaghan to begin right now. Will the Government promise that every child who needs a place in this special school in Monaghan actually gets one?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I remember the long and frequent exchanges in this House around the need for that special school in Monaghan. I am pleased to hear that it is now open but I take the point that there is a need for a permanent building. In the education capital allocation that was recently given to the Minister, Deputy Naughton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, there is a significant additional allocation for special schools. I will ask the Minister and the Minister of State to come back to the Deputy regarding that permanent build to see what the timeline is in that regard.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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I am raising the issue of bus drivers over the age of 70 for the school bus scheme with the Tánaiste. When I raised it with him in the first week of February, I pointed out that as it is a part-time job, most of the drivers are retired from their full-time careers and are between 60 and 70 years of age. People over the age of 70 can drive 50- and 60-seater private coaches for long distances, but they cannot drive a 12- or 14-seater minibus to the local school. The Government is committed to expanding the school transport scheme. I am proposing that the age limit be extended to 75 on the condition that the drivers pass a strict test. The local media picked up on this issue the last time I raised it with the Tánaiste. One paper said, "Tánaiste Simon Harris backs Laois TD's call for over 70's bus drivers".

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I do.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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The Tánaiste, therefore, became popular with 69-year-old bus drivers in Laois. The Tánaiste said at that time that this is quite a farcical and bizarre situation. I have been back and forth with the Minister since and I have raised it a number of times in the Chamber. This is something that we can do, and there is a problem already with drivers. There is a shortage of school bus drivers because it is a part-time position and it suits retired people. I am asking the Tánaiste to fix this. This needs be caught and fixed. I hope we can do it.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I hope it does not make the Deputy uneasy, but I find myself agreeing with him on this issue. Along with a number of Government colleagues, I must acknowledge, I have been trying to pursue this. There is significant institutional resistance - let us call it that - to what I see as a common-sense proposal.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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The Government runs the show.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am trying to work my way through it. Someone who is 71 years of age could drive kids to a football match but that same person could not drive the same kids to their school. If it is safe to drive them to the football match, it must be safe to drive them to the school. It has to be logical. Bus Éireann has a very specific view on this. I think they are entirely wrong. On foot of the Deputy’s question – he has riled me up - I will now raise this issue again.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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Hopefully the Tánaiste will agree with me in the same way he has agreed with Deputy Stanley.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I will do my best.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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He is asking in advance.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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It is almost Christmas.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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The Tánaiste does not need me to tell him about the importance of the DART+ South West project. We have seen now is that the project has been shelved for a minimum of four years before any works will take place. We have heard at length about the impact judicial reviews have on delaying significant infrastructure projects. This project has no judicial reviews. It has full planning permission. An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the railway order back in 2024. Under questioning this week, the Taoiseach said he will speak to the Minister. Will the Tánaiste join him in trying to get this project back on the cards? The people of Kildare need this. The M50 and M7 are all full. We do not want more people in their cars; we want this project. Will he commit to that today?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In my new role, I practice prudence every day but I take the broader point regarding the importance of this project. I have heard it from a number of colleagues as well as from Deputy Farrelly. In the context of capital budgets, often capital budgets are announced but not every project moves at the same time.

There can often be an opportunity to make amendments or additionalities because not every plan necessarily proceeds in one go. That is obviously not how our processes work. I will join with the Deputy in engaging with the Minister in relation to this and keeping an eye on this project. I know it is one that has a lot of support but I also know there is a very particular congestion issue. Indeed, we have seen comments on the limits on solving any of that congestion issue in relation to roads in recent days. I will come back to the Deputy on it.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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Every housing target and every infrastructure project in the country depends on a skilled workforce. Instead of opening the doors and making the apprenticeship system much more attractive we are actually going in the opposite direction. I believe apprentices are treated like second-class citizens in that third level space. There is a significant lack of capacity and this is causing significant delays. The contribution fee has actually increased this year. Phase 4 apprenticeships starting in January will be hit with an almost €1,000 fee. These are students who are working below minimum wage and with significant costs for tools and vans for getting to work. They do not avail of SUSI grants either. I ask the Tánaiste to start prioritising the apprenticeship system. It is crucially important. There is a skills shortage in the country. I speak to builders all the time and they fear five, ten or 15 years down the line. I ask the Tánaiste to start prioritising apprenticeships and reinsert the support that was at 33% last year.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is right to highlight this issue. In every report, in particular in the housing report, the need for more apprentices is very apparent. I would just make the point that we are making good progress in the number of new apprentices and in the number of programmes in which apprenticeships are available. We need to make it continually attractive for people to be an apprentice. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy James Lawless, is looking at ways we can do that. Going from memory from my time in that Department, we do have a cost of education paper that comes out each year. I understand that apprenticeships are considered as part of that. Let me ask the Minister, Deputy Lawless, to look specifically at the issues and I will come back to the Deputy.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to raise with the Tánaiste the issue of BusConnects. This morning the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Dublin Bus met with elected representatives in my area and they accepted that the roll out of the F spine has been incredibly poor. They have committed to putting in a new timetable, which would reflect congestion, and to having additional drivers in place compared to the number at the beginning. Would the Tánaiste agree that we have to get better at implementing these BusConnects programmes to instil confidence? This involves having a sufficient number of drivers, picking the right time of year for it to be implemented and including local elected representatives who can often help them balance some of the decisions. For example, today they have confirmed that the No. 23 and No. 24 will now service O'Connell Bridge and the quays. This is a really important change. Working with local elected representatives will, I believe, assist the NTA. It is not about answering every query but they will assist them in balancing the changes that need to be made. We need to be including elected representatives far earlier in the roll out of each BusConnects phase.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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We do, and we need to see a bit of respect from State agencies for the people's elected representatives. This is a point I make frequently. I have made it this week in relation to one State agency. If an elected representative is trying to engage in a project, they are doing so because it matters to the people they are elected to represent. It is very important that mechanisms are put in place in this regard. Unelected officials will often find that if they engage with elected officials, they can actually roll out a project like BusConnects, as the Deputy suggested, in a much smoother fashion. I will raise that broader issue with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who I know would be supportive of that idea of plugging in local representatives at that earlier time. I am pleased to hear the progress Deputy McAuliffe has made with the new timetables and the additional drivers. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste will be aware that in my constituency of Wicklow and Wexford there is a very proud and vibrant agriculture sector. There is huge concern on the ground in relation to Mercosur. We read recently that the Irish Farmers' Journal sent a delegation out and they found they could access antibiotics without any checks or documentation. We also heard over the past couple of days that a batch of meat was taken off the shelves in Europe because it was full of hormones. These hormones have been banned in the EU for the past 30 years. I am all for free trade. We continue to be told that these checks are being done at the EU level but if this does not set off alarm bells, then nothing will. We have a proud history in Ireland of top-quality meats, and by word "meats" I mean white meat and red meat. However, if we get a tsunami of meat that is not up to the standard that is required, it will have a detrimental effect on the agriculture sector and on the health of our nation. I ask the Tánaiste to reassure us that he is stronger, if anything, on our programme for Government.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Brennan for raising this issue on behalf of farmers in Wicklow and Wexford. I know the Minister for agriculture, Deputy Martin Heydon, is working very hard in relation to this issue. In fact, he is working very hard on a number of issues, be it the nitrates derogation, Mercosur, and getting a properly adequately resourced CAP with less bureaucracy that works for farmers in the new multi-annual financial framework. I support him in all of that work too.

Deputy Brennan is right to highlight this issue. The EU does have very stringent standards, which we know as the sanitary and phytosanitary standards, SPS. They are there to protect everyone - to protect human health, animal health and plant health. The standards are among the highest in the world and they are non-negotiable. They have to apply equally to food produced in EU member states and they have to apply also to food that comes in from other countries. Ireland continues to engage through the Minister, Deputy Heydon, and others in relation to all of these issues, and also in ascertaining if the blocking minority in relation to Mercosur is still in place. The Minister, with the full support of the Government, is very actively involved in all of these issues. I thank the Deputy for raising it.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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Placing an adult in a Tusla residential unit is a very serious breach of child protection. Aontú has raised this issue a number of times with the Government and we have been told that the Government is doing everything it can to make sure that it does not happen. We are being told that the immigration services know exactly who is coming into the country and that checks are being done. Vadym Davydenko was a Ukrainian boy who was placed in a residential care unit very recently. The suspect in that alleged murder was also placed in that residential home. We now come to understand that the suspect was an adult. Today it has emerged in a report that 192 adults have been placed in children's residential homes in the past three years. This is an incredible figure.

It has been reported to me by people who are working within the sector that not enough work has been done on the documentary research to find out the age of an individual and not enough work has been done on the scientific research to be able to pinpoint an individual's age. Is it not the case that in many instances the State does not know the age of the individual or, indeed, the identity of the individuals who are coming into the country?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Tóibín raises a very important and very serious issue. We have seen a very large increase of about 500% - that is the figure in my mind - in unaccompanied minors presenting. I am sitting beside the Minister of State with responsibility for migration, Deputy Brophy. It is a reality that an increasing number of people are now travelling by themselves and they present to the international protection office as minors without any family members. Age verification is an important part of the international protection application process. The Government had a meeting with Tusla on this just this week. The age identification process and the possibility that people presenting as minors may not be minors presents significant child protection issues. The Deputy is correct that it is an area of concern. These concerns are being addressed with the new statutory scheme now being set out in the international protection Bill, which will be introduced into these Houses very soon. The new legislation will set out in far greater detail how age is to be assessed, which I think is the core of the Deputy's point, by a multidisciplinary team. It will also provide for regulations governing the standards, qualifications of personnel and so on for the purpose of that process. We have different views on the EU asylum and migration pact but, as required by that pact, the Bill would also make provisions for the appointment of representatives to assist and safeguard the interests of unaccompanied minors.