Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the remarks of President Trump, who said this morning in South Korea that he wanted to avoid military action.

In answer to Senator Humphreys, the Citizens' Assembly produced a report last weekend, and I welcome its deliberations. The national mitigation plan and the energy White Paper reflect the recommendations that came from the Citizens' Assembly last weekend. As the Senator will know, we are having a series of ongoing debates here regarding the annual transition statements. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Michael Creed, will be before the House in the coming weeks in continuation of that. I would be very happy to have that debate continue in regard to the matter the Senator has raised.

In answer to Senator Leyden, the issue of jobs in Athenry is one of absolute importance. The Government has been very committed to the project. It will not be the fault of the Government if the jobs do not come. It ill-behoves us to play politics with it on the floor of this House, when we should have a unified approach, working together to ensure that the jobs are delivered. That is why the Government has been very strong through the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, the Taoiseach, the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Breen, and the Tánaiste in ensuring that the jobs come to our country. We are very fortunate that Apple is located in Cork city. It is a huge employer in our region-----