Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is very important to be clear that the policies of effective multilateralism and military neutrality are both in force. There is not a hierarchy placing one above the other. They are complementary policies that work very closely together. Ireland's policy on military neutrality allowed it to play a key and effective role in pressing for multilateral initiatives on disarmament and in driving forward other peace-building initiatives globally, work of which we are very proud. Even at this late stage, it would be very useful if the strategy was able to illustrate the complementary relationship between those two imperatives.

Operation Sophia was mentioned. It may not be possible to answer some of my questions today but I would appreciate if we could get a written answer subsequently. Everyone is extraordinarily proud of the work Irish ships have done in the Mediterranean, which led to the saving of 17,500 lives with one Irish vessel in action at any given time. Under the previous EU mission, an average of five ships in action at any given time saved a total of 34,200 or so lives. There is a concern that, on its own, Ireland has been two or three times more effective than the EU ships in terms of the saving of lives. It is very important that we monitor and check that engaging in Operation Sophia does not make us less effective in terms of humanitarian search and rescue. How will that be measured and tracked?

The Irish Navy seems to have been engaged in the testing and promotion of private companies' military equipment, the ultimate destination and usage of which is not known. That is a very serious concern. This is not suggest that Ireland is necessarily breaching anything. However, we have a special duty at this time.

The witness spoke at length about the EU treaties and the space within them. It might be important to clarify that the space for Ireland's military operation - what it can and cannot do - is not solely defined by the EU treaties but by the treaties and UN mandate - the places where they overlap. I am concerned that in some of their responses, the witnesses have said that the EU treaties permit this or do not permit that, or that they are confident something will not be outside the EU treaties. We also have serious obligations in terms of the UN. That is our check. When we talk about multilateralism, I am concerned that the specific relationship of Ireland with the UN and the dual mandate is not strongly visible within the strategy. It needs to be teased out. We have very different political and military mandates from our EU partners.

I strongly recommend that the strategy includes reference to how the work of the Defence Forces intersects with the work of peace-building and the guarding of appropriate good practice. Ireland is now calling on Europe and the world to pay attention to the peace-building process in Northern Ireland, as the Chairman very eloquently described. We have a very important situation there and know how important peace-building is. It is vital that we maintain our international credibility in that area. How is that being safeguarded?