Helen McEntee
Meath East · Fine Gael · Ireland
“There are no new missions, so there is only so much we can partake in. In regard to UN requests over the past ten years, in September 2019, we had 14 Defence Forces personnel deployed to a UN mission in Mali as part of a joint operation with the German armed forces.”
“I thank the Deputy for his continued engagement on this matter. It is appreciated and I reaffirm our shared commitment to truth and justice, not least for Private Rooney, but in particular for his family.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I know he is committed to this issue; I am too. I have in recent months spent some time travelling to different barracks and Army bases and meeting with personnel. What I see all over the country is their professionalism, dedication and commitment.”
“I disagree that people are being pushed into the courts. The situation is exactly the opposite. I have said in the Chamber many times since I started taking these questions that the State Claims Agency is there and wants to mediate and work directly with people in order that cases do not go directly to the courts.”
“We are all committed to strengthening recruitment to and supporting retention in the Permanent Defence Force. The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,823 personnel on 31 May, the most recent date for which we have a figure available.”
“It is the case that no mission is the same, so it is also a matter for the Defence Forces to assess and scope out the mission and then to decide whether it is a mission we can partake in. A question keeps being asked about what it is we would not be able to be a part of if we were to keep the triple lock.”
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“During that visit, I announced the Government will provide €42 million in assistance to the people of Palestine who urgently need that support. In particular, it will be ensured that funding is provided to organisations like UNRWA, the Palestinian Authority and many important organisations on the ground. I have also remained focused on the extremely serious situation in the West Bank. We all know that this continues to deteriorate rapidly. Israeli military operations have caused widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and homes. At least 40,000 people have been displaced since January 2025. The scale, speed and severity of displacement and demolitions are unprecedented and continues in an atmosphere of impunity. Settlement expansion, forced displacement and settler violence have accelerated dramatically.”
“All crossings must be reopened. When I travelled to Rafah earlier this year, my first bilateral visit in this role, I saw first-hand the scale of the suffering and the urgency of the need. Most importantly, I spoke to those engaging on the ground, doing a job there and who have lost colleagues in this conflict who were simply trying to help and protect those who need our help the most. That visit and those conversations and engagement that I had have stayed with me and reinforced my belief that we need to do everything we can collectively. We need a more unified and stronger response from Europe. It has reinforced my determination that we must speak clearly and act concretely but we need more happening at a European level.”
“Diseases linked to overcrowding and poor living conditions are rife. None of us who hear these stories of parents trying to shield their children from rats and infestation can remain untouched by the horror of what is unfolding. We are all feeling this and want to do everything we can to support them. Behind every statistic are human beings trying to survive and get through another day. I do not believe anybody can look at the humanitarian situation and conclude that the international response has been adequate. It has not. This is why I and the Government have consistently called for unrestricted humanitarian access into and throughout Gaza. Israel must immediately remove restrictions on aid access and facilitate the delivery of essential supplies and services throughout Gaza, notwithstanding the wider regional security situation.”
“Since that agreement began, 834 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and more than 2,300 injured in ongoing Israeli military operations. Those are not just numbers. We know they are children, parents, families and entire communities whose lives have been shattered. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated even further since the outbreak of the conflict involving Iran. Border closures have intensified these already desperate conditions. One crossing remains the sole operational entry point for aid and commercial supplies, creating severe bottlenecks that continue to limit deliveries and deepen shortages. I saw this in my visit to the region at the beginning of the year. Today, the people of Gaza continue to endure unimaginable suffering. Access to water, healthcare and shelter remains wholly inadequate.”
“I remain committed to supporting a unitary Palestinian state consisting of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. I remain committed as well to achieving a just and lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in two states, Israel and Palestine, in peace, security and dignity within the agreed borders. I have spoken directly with my Palestinian counterpart many times in recent weeks again and assured her of Ireland’s full support for the Palestinian people and for the implementation of the two-state solution. Since taking office, I have also taken a number of concrete actions which I will outline today. Although the ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025 offered a moment of hope and relief, the reality for civilians in Gaza remains unbearable.”
“I believe, as we all do, that Palestinians have the right to live in dignity, freedom and security in their own state. I believe Israelis and Palestinians both deserve peace and safety and I believe international law must apply equally to all states, in all circumstances. That principle guides my approach and that of the Government to this conflict and to the measures I will outline. Ireland’s position since the beginning of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been steadfast. We remain committed to working with key partners to end the conflict in Gaza, advance a sustainable peace plan and, most importantly, address the immense challenges facing Palestinians in Gaza and the wider implications for regional stability and security.”
“We know there is no meaningful peace in Gaza and no real ceasefire in Lebanon while civilians continue to live under threat and violence continues. We urgently need de-escalation, diplomacy and a path towards a lasting political solution, not temporary pauses that leave civilians trapped in fear and insecurity. Ireland remains deeply concerned about the conflicts across the Middle East and Gulf region. I continue to follow developments closely, but importantly I remain in close contact with EU and regional partners in responding to this crisis. I raised these issues directly again this week at the foreign affairs Council in Brussels. I spoke at length about the situation in Palestine and the urgent need for Europe to act with greater resolve. Ireland’s position has been consistent and clear.”
“Across Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, civilians are living through devastation, fear and displacement on a scale that should shock the conscience of the world. Families are burying children. Communities are being destroyed. Humanitarian conditions are catastrophic. We know this and I think we all agree on this. While international attention has shifted in recent weeks towards the broader regional crisis involving Iran, I want to say clearly that Palestine will not be pushed aside and will not be forgotten. The suffering of the Palestinian people is not secondary to other geopolitical events. It must remain at the centre of international attention and international action. I have advocated for this at every Council meeting I have attended since being appointed in November.”
“This is about taking something that is currently in regulations made under the Defence Act and putting it into primary legislation. It does not change the provisions made under the regulations. This has been worked on for some time. We are simply putting it on a new statutory footing. I repeat that the Defence Forces provide aid to the civil power, for example, An Garda Síochána, at least 3,000 times a year. That support is provided every day in extreme weather conditions, in incidents such as those we have seen recently or in the scenarios I outlined in my opening remarks. This is really about putting what is already in regulations on a different statutory footing. My Department has been developing this for over a year now. As we now have this legislative mechanism to move it forward-----”
“This is a focused amendment to specify in legislation certain powers of the Defence Forces, which they can currently only use as authorised officers. It is appropriate to have this in place for the beginning of our Presidency on 1 July. That is the reason for the urgency in moving this forward. I have worked on other legislation in which other Ministers have asked me to include certain elements. That has happened without debate in this House. It is important that we are having these discussions here this evening. We will discuss these amendments further on Committee Stage before the legislation progresses through the various other Stages. On the question of providing aid to the civil power, this has been worked on within my Department for over a year. It is not something that has just come about in the last few weeks or months.”
“Under these Acts, members of the Defence Forces operate as authorised officers or exercise certain powers on behalf of other State bodies, including An Garda Síochána and Revenue. While these arrangements have been sufficient up until now, is has been made very clear to me that we need specific legislation through the Defence Act to grant powers specifically to the Defence Forces. This is something the Defence Forces have been asking for. Deputy Duncan Smith is right. Just because these issues have been ongoing for some time does not mean we should not act on them now. That is what I am doing. I am responding to a very clear ask from the Defence Forces. We will have an opportunity to debate and discuss this next week, on 19 May. I am very open to engaging with colleagues on amendments or adjustments.”
“I said very clearly what the intention of the memorandum was. It is important that we have a vehicle to move this on. While it could have been other legislation, the quickest approach was to use this miscellaneous provisions Bill because it was already moving. I thank the Minister for working with me to give me a vehicle and mechanism to introduce this. Irrespective of the contents of the miscellaneous provisions Bill, this is specifically about our Defence Forces and making sure they have powers in legislation. When at sea, the Defence Forces rely on the powers assigned to them under the Customs Act, the Sea Pollution Act, the Criminal Justice Act, the Dumping at Sea Act, the Maritime Security Act, the Maritime Safety Act and the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act.”
“I thank the Deputies. I will touch on a number of points. It has been suggested that this is an attempt to sneak something in and to avoid debate and proper consideration but that is not reflected in the facts. Since coming into this Department and first engaging with our Defence Forces, particularly our Naval Service, and since publishing the maritime security strategy, I have been very clear that I want to introduce new legislation to consolidate the various pieces of legislation our Naval Service currently works to into a specific defence Act. The Defence Forces have been asking for that. I have also been very clear that I want this in place before we begin our Presidency. There is a reason for that. I brought a memorandum to the Cabinet back in March. I did not hide the fact that I was bringing it to the Cabinet.”
“Finally, the proposed new section 40C of the Defence Act 1954 sets out the powers that may be exercised by a member of the Defence Forces for the protection of military installations. There will be an opportunity for detailed engagement on the text of the amendments on Committee Stage. I would appreciate Deputies' support on progressing these important amendments to the Defence Acts as expeditiously as possible. I commend this motion to the House.”
“It also clarifies that a member of the Defence Forces deployed in the aid to civil power is authorised to use such force as is proportionate, necessary and reasonable when deployed on such duties. This is a necessary provision to clarify the powers of a member of the Defence Forces in such circumstances. It is important to note that there is ongoing and continuous close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including aid of civil power deployments. In any given year there can be in excess of 3,000 aid of civil power operations. These range from explosive ordnance calls to cash-in-transit escorts. The new section 40B of the Defence Act 1954 will replace existing provisions concerning aid of the civil power as set out in Defence Force Regulations.”
“I am satisfied that this legislation is proportionate and that it will address the urgent needs of the Defence Forces when they are carrying out operations at sea. I also think it is important we have these legislative amendments in order that we can respond to other potential challenges with our naval fleet, particularly with the shadow fleet when it comes to an environmental challenge. Let me now turn to the other defence-related amendments. The proposed new section 40B of the Defence Act 1954 will make express provision in primary legislation for the long-standing role of the Defence Forces when they assist An Garda Síochána, which is referred to in the Defence Acts as the aid to civil power. This new section sets out the legislative framework under which members of the Defence Forces may be deployed in aid to civil power.”
“This guidance will, of course, be developed with the consent of the Minister, where appropriate, in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade insofar as the guidance relates to the application of international law at sea. Let me also make it clear that these legislative proposals do not provide for any prosecutions, arrests or detention of vessels. I have asked my Department to undertake a comprehensive review of all maritime security-related legislation that is envisaged as part of the new national maritime security strategy that I launched at the end of February, and I will bring forward further legislation in this space if it is required. I am bringing this forward now because I believe it is important we have specific legislation for the Defence Forces enacted as soon as possible.”
“In broad terms, this legislation will provide the Defence Forces with stand-alone statutory powers that will include the power to use force that is reasonable, proportionate and necessary in order to safeguard, protect and defend the security of the State in the maritime domain. This is to ensure they have stand-alone statutory powers. At the moment, they are working to other legislation from other Departments. In practical terms, this proposed legislation will allow, for example, the captain of one of our State’s naval ships to have the power to hail, board, search, re-direct or otherwise frustrate and delay those ships suspected of engaging in non-innocent passage in the seas around our island. The proposed legislation also provides for the Chief of Staff to provide guidance on the exercise of these new powers.”
“We need to make sure we are able to respond to these threats as they emerge. This includes providing the Defence Forces with the specific necessary legislative tools they need to protect our critical undersea infrastructure. As an island nation we are reliant on this critical infrastructure. Many major undersea cables land on our shores, come across the Atlantic and transit through our exclusive economic zone. They carry significant amounts of global Internet traffic and financial data. From an energy perspective, they are absolutely critical for us. Our energy sector is heavily supported by subsea gas pipelines and electricity interconnectors. This infrastructure is vulnerable to hybrid threats, as it is in any other ocean.”
“I am also conscious, with our upcoming Presidency of the European Union, that I want to ensure we have the necessary provisions in place to respond to these threats, including clarity on the use of force by members of the Defence Forces. The purpose of these amendments to the Defence Act 1954 is to help to protect and defend our territorial seas and internal waters and protect the sovereign rights of the State in our exclusive economic zone; to make provision for the long-standing role of the Defence Forces in aid of the civil power; and enhance the protection of military installations. The maritime security-related amendments are particularly relevant in today’s increasingly volatile geopolitical situation, which is resulting in new and evolving threats in the maritime domain.”
“I thank the House for the opportunity to discuss this motion to include relatively short but important amendments to the Defence Act 1954 on Committee Stage of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is scheduled for 19 May. I am progressing these amendments as a matter of urgency as it is a priority for me and all of us to ensure that the Defence Forces have the powers they need to respond to emerging threats in our waters, especially from vessels linked to the Russian shadow fleet. We are all concerned about the threats they present to our critical underwater infrastructure which provide vital support for our energy and communications sectors.”
“I move: That Standing Order 194 is modified in accordance with Standing Order 241(2) to provide that it be an instruction to the Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, in relation to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, that the Committee has power to make amendments to the Bill which are outside the scope of the existing subject matter of the Bill in order to make amendments to the Defence Act 1954, in order to provide for certain powers of the Defence Forces in relation to: a) safeguarding, protecting and defending the security of the State by the Defence Forces in certain circumstances arising in the territorial sea or internal waters of the State or where there is a risk to the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the State in the exclusive economic zone; b) the deployment of members of the Defence Forces in aid of the civil power; and c) the protection of military installations by the Defence Forces; and to change the title of the Bill and make other consequential amendments required to take account of the changes above.”
“Our laws are very clear: it is illegal to create nuclear power in Ireland. Any proposal to change that would have to be done with agreement and debate, not just here in the Houses but more broadly. At the moment, there are no direct plans but given the situation in which we find ourselves on a global scale, we should not rule out discussions about things. However, the law is very clear at the moment: nuclear power is not allowed and not applicable. I know this came up yesterday. Whether it is the French interconnector which will be connected soon or even the UK interconnector, there is an element of nuclear energy that comes into Ireland. However, from an Irish perspective, I think we are a long way off even having that overall discussion.”
“Obviously, if this is a planning matter, it is something for An Coimisiún Pleanála. If it is about any scheme, the need for funding or investment, I can raise it directly with colleagues. Some €40 billion will be provided over the next number of years directly for housing development and water infrastructure. There will also be additional funding to make sure that grid access or any other type of infrastructure to open any new housing development is developed as quickly as possible. If the Deputy provides me with details of the specific projects, I can relay those. If it is planning related, that is obviously a matter for An Coimisiún Pleanála.”
“I am happy to raise this matter directly. There are a number of things we need to do in response. We need to ensure we have enough qualified people and ensure we have enough courses and training opportunities working with our universities. That is happening already through the Department of the Minister, Deputy Lawless, working with the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. We also need to consider where legislative changes are required, in particular when it comes to assessments where more OT time is being spent on assessments as opposed to providing services, not just for children but for people more broadly. Those changes need to come into effect soon and I know the Minister is working on that. We also need to make sure we have the funding to be able to support the hiring of new staff to provide these services more broadly.”
“There is a very clear commitment in the programme for Government. We have seen a reduction in recent years, in particular under the previous Government. We know the impact it has on students and on teaching, coupled with the significant increase in the number of teachers, including special or additional needs teachers who are supporting our mainstream classes. We know when we walk into a classroom now there are more teachers there and more support there at the same time. We need to make sure that no classes go beyond the number that we have clearly identified. We all know there are some schools where the numbers are higher than they should be. We want to do everything we can to reduce that overall number. That will take time and will have to happen over a series of budgets, but it is something we are committed to.”
“Overall, the Government fully recognises the need to create more connectivity to make sure that people living in rural and not-so-rural areas are able to use public transport and that there is greater investment. A huge focus of the €102 billion investment in our infrastructure plan is for public transport, investing in our roads, railway networks and bus networks to ensure that they are joined up and connected insofar as possible. Obviously, it is about making sure that we are working directly with the Deputy on the area that she outlined. The Minister for Transport, the NTA and our agencies are working directly with the community to identify where the gaps are and how we fill those gaps and that plans are in place and ready to progress as funding is allocated.”
“I am happy to raise the matter directly with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and, in particular, the Minister. It is essential, whether through legislative means or financial support that is required, that people have access to dental care. I am happy to raise that directly.”
“Nobody wants to see the National Ambulance Service or paramedics on strike. I commend the fantastic and unbelievable work they do. The Minister for Health has assured me that she, the HSE and the Department are open to further engagement with the National Ambulance Service and want to engage with them through the industrial relations mechanism. That offer, I believe, is there and it is open to the NAS to engage. The Minister very much encourages it to do so before next week.”
“I will sound like I am taking on my previous role, but the deployment of An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. The most important thing is that we are starting to see, in all of the changes that have taken place in recent years, the numbers of recruits coming through at the high level that we need and, most importantly, that they are now flowing down to various parts of the country, including Dublin which has a huge population. I have no doubt that the chief superintendents on the ground will ensure these gardaí are deployed in the best manner possible. From my time engaging with many of them, I know that community policing and visible active policing are core to their overall objective of keeping people safe.”
“The Department's budget for this year has been set. The housing budget has been set. At the same time, we have a new budget coming up. All of these different matters have to be taken into consideration, to make sure funding can be most impactful and support people who need it most. I will certainly raise this issue with the Minister.”
“I commend and acknowledge the role of town councils. We had some in my constituency in Meath. I have worked with councillors since then who perhaps share the same view as the Deputy and would like to see things resumed as they were. I understand the local democracy task force is due to make recommendations or findings on this matter soon. When we are presented with those findings, I will be happy to engage with colleagues to see what is the best way forward.”
“I am really sorry to hear about the particular case. Where possible, where there are particular rare conditions, we need to support people insofar as we possibly can, with the HSE working closely with the companies as well. If the Deputy passes on the details of the specific case, if that has not already been done, I will certainly raise it again with the Minister for Health.”
“I appreciate the challenges that might create for constituents who do not have a direct route and I will ask the Minister for Transport to engage with the Deputy, with a view to perhaps engaging with the NTA. The service is not due to be introduced until 2027, so obviously there is time to engage further with it.”
“A core objective of BusConnects is to have a better network, with a more frequent service that reduces journey times and provides better service for people. My understanding is that under BusConnects, the 70 route will be replaced by other bus services, including the L64, which will provide an all-day frequent service to my constituency, in Dunboyne, Clonee and Blanchardstown, and the peak-hour P64 service, which will provide a direct service between those places and Dublin city centre. It is being launched among other services. Where this has applied in other areas, we have seen that it means people having to change buses and not having direct routes.”
“I agree with the Deputy. Most of us are not from Galway, but we see the importance of the road and its approval recently. It is, however, important that any new project engage with families locally in a sensitive way. I will relay the Deputy's concern directly to the Minister and ask that the transport authority engage directly and as quickly as possible. I know people locally want to see the project move as quickly as possible.”
“It is a long-standing practice that where a not-for-profit body is solely providing this service, it would not be included in rates. We just need to work through this.”
“It is the case that commercial early years providers have always paid rates. However, there is a long-standing agreement or exemption for community not-for-profit services, that is, those that solely offer early childhood care and the ECCE programme. The Minister, Deputy Foley, is aware of a small number that are now starting to be charged and where issues are emerging. She wants to respond, given the importance of early learning and what the Deputy has raised, and she is giving her full attention to the matter. She has met the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, specifically the Minister, Deputy Browne. She is hoping to be able to come to a conclusion or find a solution to this. She is very aware of the problem and obviously wants to address it.”
“The plan and intention are that, over a series of budgets, we will be able to deliver that for people. We have not moved away from that commitment. That commitment is there.”
“We have over the last number of years, in particular in previous Governments, invested hundreds of millions of euro in childcare and making sure we can provide early childhood care and education, ECCE, spaces for children to which every child has access. About 96% or 97% of children are accessing the ECCE programme, which is available to parents. Beyond that, we have set out a very clear commitment in the programme for Government not just to make childcare affordable but to make sure that, with a growing population, there is access to places as well. That has become a much more significant challenge in areas with a growing population. We have a five-year programme for Government. We have made very clear commitments that we will provide the places and reduce the costs for parents.”
“-----accommodation but also delivering new accommodation. A group has been established specifically to make sure the process by which local authorities can build and develop new homes is sped up and that authorities understand it and know how to use it. That forum has brought together all our local authorities to make sure that everybody is delivering more social housing as well as making sure we are investing in private, affordable and rental accommodation as well. We are committed to that. We see that in the figures, with over 60,000 houses in the last few years alone.”
“We need to understand fully what has happened when it comes to the Oliver Bond complex. I appreciate that there is a huge amount of frustration and anger when it comes to this specific project. We need to understand how we have got to this point and how the direction has suddenly changed and the project has not been approved. More broadly, in terms of social housing, between July 2020 and the end of last year, almost 60,000 social houses have been built. There is an absolute commitment there to make sure our local authorities are not just acquiring and taking on-----”
“However, we have a process in place where if there is a need or demand, Departments can engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. We have a process later in the year when it comes to our budget if there are overruns or there is need for overspends. Insofar as possible, however, Departments have to stick within our budgets. The Deputy will see that our budget was €105.4 billion last year. That is to cope with the increased demand and the need for increased services, including in health.”
“I think the Deputy would agree that our budget year on year has increased. We had a budget last year of €105.4 billion. Within that, each Department is given a specific budget and within each Department, we are all expected to work within that overall budget. In terms of health, it is the case, and has to be the case, that if the HSE is given a particular budget, we work within that and where there are overspends or changes that are required, that is all done in line with that overall budget because if we overspend in one area, there are potential implications for a patient in another part of the country and we start to see that impact. Irrespective of what Department it is, we are all given budgets that are set for us. It is always important to try to stick within those budgets.”
“I would again stress that the programme for Government is a five-year plan. We want to make sure that we can get to as many of our commitments as soon as possible. I appreciate that for many hospitals, it raises revenue. However, like the Deputy, I have constituents who have raised concerns with me, particularly when they have to attend hospital on a regular basis and the impact and the cost that is having on them. We need to find a way to reduce the costs for people overall. I will come back to the Deputy with an exact timeline from the Minister for Health as to where that is at.”
“With anything we do, we have to make sure there is oversight and that it is put in properly so that problems do not arise. There is very much an openness to delivering this and working with innovative companies that have solutions to reduce overall bills. Regarding the occupied territories Bill, I am committed to bring it forward. A process has been taking place over the past while with the Attorney General but I intend to make progress on it soon.”
“In terms of the solar programme, the Deputy should speak to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. Everyone in government is open to a way in which we can ensure individual householders and home owners can reduce their bills. I mentioned figures earlier in terms of the investment that has already taken place. Some 250,000 homes have been retrofitted. Over 73,000 homes are targeted for this year. How can we do more and go beyond those overall targets? We need to ensure that for any new scheme, we have the right oversight in place and the right type of technology. When you look at the UK, which has moved farther ahead than us on this, problems have arisen in older homes where the wiring and the network is not capable of sustaining or taking on the new solar panels.”
“In the past number of years alone, over €6 billion has been invested directly in our schools. Of course there is a plan to do much more than that as well. When it comes to investment overall in Dublin city centre, of course, a huge amount of property tax is taken in but a huge amount is also being reinvested, whether through the national programmes or directly by Dublin City Council. Of course, we want to work with the Deputy to make sure all our priorities and all these important projects can progress at various different stages.”
“The commitment is to enact that as soon as possible, so it is very clear that actions are happening and progress is being made in that regard. More broadly, the Deputy mentioned education and specific schools and investment in our sports facilities and complexes. While I do not have the timeline exactly, we do know that in the coming period we will have a new sports capital grant. This grant was introduced by a previous Fine Gael Government to specifically and directly invest in sporting facilities across our communities, in particular, but not limited to our cities, towns and villages. In Dublin, we have seen a huge investment in our sports campuses and I have no doubt that when that opens up again, appropriate funding will be provided for Dublin. We have also seen significant investment in education.”
“The commitment the Minister for Transport made is to progress legislation that would empower him to make an order to amend or revoke the passenger cap. In advance of making such an order, he has to engage with An Coimisiún Pleanála, which will screen for, and if necessary, undertake a full assessment in line with overall environmental law. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme is nearing completion, with the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport expected later this week. In parallel, drafting of the Bill has been progressed and is at an advanced stage. A lot of things are happening at different stages that need to progress. In that regard, the Minister for Transport intends to finalise the Bill this month and at that stage will be bringing it to Government for agreement to publish.”