Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the comments of the Deputy Leader and her update on the Global Sumud Flotilla. I also welcome that the Tánaiste is engaging with our ambassador and providing consular assistance. I, too, want to stand in solidarity with our colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, and the others who have been detained. I am aware there is a lady from Galway involved. We are all touched and aware of the situation. It is important to also recognise what is happening in Gaza and call it what it is - a complete and utter genocide. With that, I will move on. It seems wrong to move on to another topic when we are talking about starving children and families who are being denied their very basic human rights, such as access to water. What has been portrayed by the interception of the flotilla is the denial of humanitarian aid getting to the most vulnerable. As a mother, you would do anything for your kids, as would dads and grandparents. However, what the Global Sumud Flotilla demonstrated was the upsurge of wanting to support, and its interception has denied the delivery of that support. I thank the Deputy Leader for the update on the flotilla. It is an evolving situation and I wish all involved a safe return to their families.

I recently attended the launch of the foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, report published by the positive health sciences element of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI. The report was funded by the Department of children. The reason this report is so important is it is the first time we have done a study on foetal alcohol syndrome disorder. I am delighted this study has been conducted. This is the first stage of getting the disorder recognised. It is recognised in other jurisdictions right around the world but, unfortunately, we do not have a clinical team designated to such a disorder here in Ireland. It is hard to believe, given we are a nation of good drinkers, that we do not recognise it can have side effects. The report calls for going back to the awareness piece and to creating awareness that if you drink alcohol, whether you are male of female, it can have consequences when you are conceiving. The report clearly demonstrates the number of incidents where the disorder can exist and present. Families do not have any support, or anywhere to seek it. I would like to know which is the relevant Ministry on this issue. I am looking for the relevant Minister to come to the House discuss FASD.