Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understood that it came to us because we were looking for things but it should automatically come here. I am open to discussion and I appreciate the Minister of State and his staff are doing the best they can in terms of what the demands are but we cannot be careful enough. It is not about being a wimp or being afraid of being with the big boys. It is important for us, with Defence Forces that are small but which are highly skilled in certain areas. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's comments were about what can happen through being dragged into something having participated in a very worthwhile project involving our Naval Service saving lives. One can be dragged into things without really expecting it. Therefore, we should stick very carefully to what these Acts say. I do not doubt the Minister of State's integrity or of that of his staff for one minute but I am just saying is that it should go out loud and clear that while we are members of the EU, when it comes to matters of defence, we have restrictions because of our neutrality and these are the guidelines. The Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 clearly states what the Government shall not approve and, therefore, that makes it quite clear.