Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy's comments on our peacekeeping operations abroad. The reply I gave was explanatory and the Deputy welcomed it. I assure him that when the Green Paper is published it will initiate a broad public consultative process. We hope all Members of the House and the general public will get involved in that process. I can also assure the Deputy that nobody will be driving anything without the public and the Dáil being very much involved following the publication of the Green Paper. The Minister anticipates that the Green Paper will be published before the end of July, when we will break for the summer recess. That will be followed by the White Paper. Everybody will have their say and there will be broad consultation. Everyone's views on the triple lock will be taken into consideration.

People have their own personal views on this. When the Deputy's party was in government it opposed a Private Members' Bill which we put forward when we were on the other side of the House. Undoubtedly, there are many different views across the House and everybody will have the chance to have their say during the consultative period for the White Paper.

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