Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If it comes back we will revisit it but I have a few questions. In terms of setting the scene, and the exchange so far has been excellent, I read former Senator Maurice Hayes's forward to the transcript of the conference held over six years ago. We were looking at Sean McCrum, who had tried to frame some questions, but looking at them now, Dr. Devine is very clear about the framework of neutrality as it is internationally understood, and that what Ireland has done by facilitating the flights in Shannon is not in line with the international definition of neutrality. Mr. Smyth's perspective is that it is a more fluid concept than that defined in international law. I will not go into that because both witnesses have given their perspectives but should we have a referendum on enshrining neutrality in the Constitution? The case was taken by the petitioner, Dr. Horgan, but it could not be successful because there is not a clear legal definition in this State that represents what has been the stated political imperative for decades. What is the opinion of the witnesses? Would it be helpful to have a clear legal definition of neutrality to clear up the confusion? Should we just leave it to the interpretation by a government in a given period or do we put it to the people and allow them decide?