Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not delay the House unduly. I welcome in principle what the Minister has said. He has given a clear assurance that he will not advocate a change in the triple lock arrangement, which is something we support enthusiastically.

I join the Minister of State in acknowledging the critical role the Irish Defence Forces have played in overseas missions over the years. Our role in peacekeeping has been quite outstanding and has brought great credit on the Defence Forces, the Irish Government and the Irish public. I also welcome the initiation of a Green Paper which will lead to a White Paper. If the Minister of State is to follow up a little on what he said, he might further confirm and clarify that in the course of the Green Paper and White Paper process there will not emanate from the Minister, Deputy Shatter, any attempt to promote the abandonment of the triple lock, which the Minister of State has spoken positively about and to which the Irish people in general are very strongly committed.

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