Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach has shown not only strong leadership at home but a consistent and principled voice for peace on the world stage. From the beginning, Ireland, under his guidance, has taken a clear, firm stance on key international matters and we have not been silent or slow to act. The Taoiseach has ensured that Ireland's voice is heard, calling for peace, justice and respect in international law. That moral leadership matters.

On a domestic matter, I completely agree with Senator McDowell. When we look domestically at the agencies of the State – the HSE, TII, the NTA, CIÉ and local authorities – it is important that they act in good faith. The Taoiseach secured the largest ever national development plan of €275 billion. We cannot leave people behind when we need them to work with us. I am talking about the CPO process. We cannot spend ten years on it and leave farmers without payment. That is not good enough. It is not due to the fact that local authority councillors are not working on the ground. Rather, it is the agencies that are tasked to fulfil their duties that are not working. I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh, but I just need to finish this point. We should not force people into arbitration when the process is broken. That is the case when local authorities have not entered a contract or made an offer. It is not right that landowners and other property owners have to use their own funds to secure solicitors, barristers and valuers to take on the State. That is what is eroding democracy at a grassroots level.