-----given that Dublin City Council's elected members were not listened to. Effectively, the city manager bottled it.

Hear, hear.

I say that as someone-----

The Dublin City Council manager is not here to defend himself.

We have to talk.

I would like if he attended the House as I would have something to say to him because he blew it. He has cost the ratepayers of the city and fans millions of euro.

His salary is paid for by the ratepayers.

As Senator Paschal Mooney has said his salary is paid by the ratepayers. He and his senior officials in the planning department of Dublin City Council should strongly consider their positions. This is a disaster for the city. We have got to make sure we get it right from hereon. However, I believe nothing can be done at this stage. One step would be to look at the legislation my colleague, Deputy Timmy Dooley in the other House, published in respect of amending the process in this regard, not specifically relating to these concerts as unfortunately that decision is made. I am disgusted with Dublin City Council manager and his officials who have made such an atrocious decision for Dublin and the entire country.

I ask the Leader for a debate early in the next session with the new Minister for Foreign Affairs. I understand the reshuffle will take place later today or tomorrow. I wish Senator Ivana Bacik all the best. It is fair to mention this in dispatches.

In regard to the situation in Israel and Palestine, all of us condemn the murders of the three Israeli teenagers a couple of weeks ago and the subsequent burning to death of a 15 year old Palestinian child. Now the Israeli defence forces are inflicting collective punishment on the people in Gaza for the actions in which Hamas has been involved and for which I condemn Hamas. There is an amassing of troops at the border at Gaza. Some 12 people were killed in air strikes the day before yesterday and the unrest is being allowed escalate. The Middle East is in a volatile state. We have always had a track record in Ireland of being honest brokers in this regard. When the Palestinian people are being punished again for the actions of Hamas terrorists we should tell the Israeli Government we do not agree with that as it is not the way a civilised state should perform. I ask the Leader, when the new Minister for Foreign Affairs is in place, to raise those concerns with him or her.

The pyrite resolution board is in place for a number of months. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, said he would report back to the House and I understand a quarterly report is being issued. I ask the Leader, in September, to invite the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, or the new Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come in to report on the progress with the pyrite remediation scheme and the remediation of houses. I am in regular contact with those concerned. As with any scheme that is set up there are problems but this Chamber can be used to address those issues.

I echo Senator Darragh O'Brien's comments of concern and disappointment at the cancellation of the five concerts. It is not fair or appropriate to blame one official.

He is the boss.

Permission was granted for three concerts.

Yes.

Apparently, the decision was taken by the artist and promoter. I am aware another promoter went on radio this morning to express his view which was somewhat critical of the way it was done. We need to look at how we ensure change to ensure it does not happen again. As legislators we have allowed a practice to grow up where concert tickets were being sold in thousands, subject to licence. Clearly that process is no longer workable and needs to be changed.

Like Senator Darragh O'Brien, I call for a debate on the Middle East. All of us must have a huge concern about the escalation of military action by Israel in the Gaza Strip and the fact that women and children have been killed in attacks by Israel overnight. Of course, we all condemn the brutal murder of the three Israeli teenagers and the subsequent horrific murder of the Palestinian boy. The Israeli Defence ministry, in suggesting in comments this morning that Israel is merely responding to Hamas rocket attacks, does not ring true. Certainly to target civilians and civilian homes is not a legitimate use of force. All of us would have huge concern about what appears to be a further escalation of military action that is pending. I call for a debate as soon as possible with the new Minister for Foreign Affairs to speak about how the EU can seek to resolve matters and ensure this warfare does not escalate further. As we have witnessed horrific warfare in the Gaza Strip previously I hope we do not see it developing in the coming weeks.

I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, and the Minister for Children, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, of an expansion for access to after school and community employment child care programmes. In that context, I ask the Leader for a debate on child care in the autumn. Yesterday's important announcement, which went under the radar, will greatly enhance the State provision of child care to low income families. The eligibility criteria will be expanded for the after school programme. A new option is being made available which is important for the parents of primary school children. It will provide not only subsidised after school child care places but also a pick-up service from schools. That will be a huge support to parents who wish to re-enter employment or upskill or train so as to enhance their employment opportunities. That the programme is being extended to children up to 13 years of age, an increase from the current age limit of five years, as well as the general expansion of child care provision for low income families is welcome. I hope we can have a broader debate on child care provision in the autumn.

I commend the advocacy initiative conducted by a large range of social justice NGOs, civil society groups and the community and voluntary sector.

It held its final conference yesterday at the RDS - I was privileged to be invited to speak at it - to look at the future of social justice advocacy in Ireland and the role of the community and voluntary sector in pressing for a more equal and inclusive society. I ask the Leader for a debate in due course on the role of the community and voluntary sector in enhancing social justice and seeking a more equal society. I commend Ms Anna Visser and all her team in the Advocacy Initiative.