Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am on their side. If the Senator wants to see a recent report on what I have delivered in government, I will send him a copy tomorrow morning. The Senator referred to what has been put in place. The decision support service is one thing I feel very strongly about. We have already appointed the director but we have not got the right person yet for manager, and it has taken longer than I had anticipated. There are real issues out there.

In regard to ratification, I am not ready to ratify the protocol now and I gave the Senator a direct answer - "No" - and outlined practical reasons for that. While I accept a commitment was given in the programme for Government to ratify the optional protocol at the same time as the convention, my recent focus has been on ratifying the convention as a first step.