Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important petition. It is also important that we reaffirm that Ireland does not have an arms industry. We must not tie the hands of the Department of Defence. Notwithstanding the position taken by Deputy Mitchell, the issue is one of ensuring that the State procures and provides the best available equipment for our troops to give them operational effectiveness. We have a process in place for doing business, as the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade noted. The committee should, therefore, support the proposal made by the Chairman. We should allow the Government to interact with whatever State it wishes to interact with. It is important also to reaffirm that we do not have an arms industry.