A serious piece of work has to be done to reassure the agricultural sector and farmers of Ireland, particularly in relation to issues that can detrimentally impact the future of farming in Ireland. We want to see maintenance of the nitrates derogation. There is absolute fear in respect of what the impact of Mercosur will be. There is deep annoyance, as we heard it yesterday, at the Government's position on that. I would like to see commentary that would actually settle people's minds in respect of the Government having their back. Deputy Ó Laoghaire spoke about the European Union and its power and leverage and how it could play a decent role in this world. He also spoke about Sudan and the fact that weapons still flow. We are looking at an absolute calamity and chaos. We need the EU to act. Huge solidarity has been shown to Ukraine, and rightly so. I also condemn the attacks in Ternopil in Ukraine and the 25 deaths. Unfortunately, this is nothing shocking from the corrupt regime in operation in Russia. We need to see that that solidarity continues, but I would also say we have a part to play in world affairs and that is about being an independent voice. It is our anti-colonial history not to be part of anything that is a move away from neutrality, which would be absolutely abhorrent to the Irish people. It goes without saying it is not much of a peace plan if it does not lead to the end of the deaths of Palestinians. More than 70,000 people have been slaughtered in Gaza and there have been attempts at greater levels of annexation in the West Bank. As for Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, in fairness, they are brutally honest about what they are offering up, and that is about ensuring there is no room for a Palestinian state. Beyond that, they would like to see a huge number of those Palestinians displaced by whatever means. I am not sure they are particularly worried about the means. We need to stand firm. It is a disgrace that the EU-Israel association agreement is still standing at this point. Pressure needs to be maintained. It goes without saying we must move on the occupied territories Bill. We have also seen in the past while what Israel has done in firing at UNIFIL troops in Lebanon. We have also seen attacks on Palestinians in Lebanon. Not only do we have to look after those who are serving, but we need to make sure we follow up on what is necessary to see right by Seán Rooney and his family.

Sentiment score: -0.04

I ask the Minister of State to urge the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to ensure the issue in relation to the pension of John McNeela, the father of Michael McNeela, who was killed in Lebanon, will be sorted because it was promised by the Tánaiste but it has not happened yet.

Sentiment score: -0.05

I do not know whether the Minister of State has dealt with my question because I was at a meeting earlier. Where are we on the EU–Israel agreement? Has there been any movement? At one stage, there was discussion to the effect that a number of countries might be able to deal with aspects of it. We all know the issues concerning what Israel has done to the Palestinian people. We hope something can come from this ceasefire. It is very hard to call it a peace plan at this point. The EU has serious leverage and has let itself down collectively, but that is not to take away from what individual states have done.

Sentiment score: 0.17

I accept that. We all want that embryonic process to go somewhere. We all know the issues over what has happened not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank. We have seen the movements that have been caused by the Israeli regime, including through the huge annexation splitting the West Bank from East Jerusalem. We are not quite sure where this will go. I know where some in the regime want to bring it, but it is a matter of us maintaining whatever leverage we have. What conversations have been had on a best-case scenario, putting a real dent in the EU–Israel association agreement, ideally across the EU but, if that is not possible, among a number of countries acting on aspects of it? We have had a discussion on the occupied territories Bill, and that is something we could do straightaway in relation to goods and services.

Sentiment score: 0.12

We are obviously in support of ensuring that we have a sufficient amount of capacity in our Defence Forces. We also need to ensure that we have the capacity to deal with some of the hybrid threats that are in the world that we have to deal with at this point of time. That is everything from cyber to the issue of disinformation, whether organised or disorganised, and the huge harm they can cause. When we are dealing with artificial intelligence, it is about having a sufficient amount of protection across Europe while, at the same time, still having the capacity to use AI into the future. I have another issue I wish to ask the Minister of State about. What can be done to reassure farmers about the detrimental impact of Mercosur and ensure we maintain the nitrates derogation? I also remind the Minister of State about the issue of John NcNeela's pension because it is something that needs to be addressed.

Sentiment score: 0.25

I understand that.

Sentiment score: 0.00

Yes, but the investor–state dispute settlement-----

Sentiment score: -0.40