Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Joe O'Reilly spoke very passionately about Tras Honan. I think he served with her, as did many other Senators.

Senator Gavan asked for a debate on the triple lock, and he might raise that tomorrow. My views are different from his, and there are no surprises there. The triple lock is an outdated policy. My own view is that because it requires a UN resolution and the five permanent members of the Security Council can veto a UN resolution - they are the UK, the US, France, Russia and China - I do not think they should have a veto over our foreign policy; that is my position on it. There is an attempt, at times, to link that to our military neutrality position. Changing the triple lock does not change the military neutrality position the country holds but it gives us greater flexibility and agility to respond. I was reading a piece by Declan Power in a weekend newspaper. We have been asked to respond to missions to evacuate citizens out of conflict zones, and we have not been able to send more than 12 troops without a UN resolution. It is not workable in the geopolitical situation we find ourselves in today. We can request a debate on that, and I will try to get the Tánaiste in on that but the Senator must bear in mind that the Tánaiste has directed his Department to draft legislation. When that comes in to the House, we will of course have a full debate and Senators can make their views known. With regard to changing the policy, it is at the very early stages and we do not yet have legislation but it will be coming through the House.

I also want to concur with Senator Gavan's remarks regarding Emily Hand. It is fantastic to see her release. I hope that she makes a full recovery from her traumatic experience. I can only imagine what her father, Tom Hand and her family went through. It was absolute torture to see what was happening. It was incredible news that she was released. At some points none of us thought that day was going to happen, so it is really great. It was a glimmer of hope in what is a horrible situation, and I concur with the Senator's calls for a permanent ceasefire. The more time that we get, the better, and I hope it stays as it is.

Senator Sherlock also spoke about the riots in Dublin city centre. I have dealt with that and, as I said, we will come back to it.

Senator Flynn spoke very passionately about suicide within the Traveller community. The Senator is right. I will request a debate on that, and she is right that she should not be the only person in the House debating that issue. It is not just on her shoulders to advocate for mental health supports for members of the Travelling community.