10. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [25524/25]

Sentiment score: 0.18

As the Taoiseach is aware, there is overcrowding in every prison in the State at present. That has consequences for the prisoners but also for the prison officers. While punishment has to be part of the prison experience, it is also essential that we address rehabilitation and deter recidivism. We have only two open prisons in the State. Shelton Abbey in Arklow is one of them. It works with Tosú on some excellent programmes in educating, training and rehabilitating a number of prisoners, working with local employers and often providing role models. Some of those prisoners go back into communities to talk about the dangers of going into a life of crime. I would like to see a commitment on the part of the Government toward the possibility of opening a female open prison because there is not one in the State, and of looking at more opportunities for schemes such as those run by Tosú about being able, after the punishment has been served, to rehabilitate those prisoners and prevent recidivism.

Sentiment score: -0.39

16. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent discussions with President Zelenskyy. [22405/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I welcome the Taoiseach’s continued engagement with President Zelenskyy, our continued strong support for the people of Ukraine and our condemnation of Russian aggression. I am sure the Taoiseach agrees with me that under no circumstances should Russia ever have a veto on Irish foreign security or defence policy. On practical examples of action that could be taken, in 1990, when Charles Haughey was Taoiseach, Ireland led when it came to German reunification and a united Germany’s membership of the European Union. That was followed in 2004 by the accession of ten central and eastern European countries during our EU Presidency. I hope that during the 2026 Presidency priority will be given to aiding, as far as possible, Ukraine’s membership of the European Union. With that in mind, I hope the Taoiseach will also give an assurance, in the context of the multi-annual funding framework and the agreement of the EU budget, that when we have a fully funded CAP, it would not just be to meet current needs but would also look at the needs of an expanded European Union, including Ukraine, especially with regard to Pillar 2 of CAP. Will the Taoiseach give indications with regard to the EU Presidency in that respect?

Sentiment score: 0.46