Ms Noelle O'Connell:

I thank Senator Craughwell for his comments. We were also slightly impacted by the sneachta on the way here. The Senator certainly hit the nail on the head on the defence issue. I can only speak about the Connacht and Munster debates that have taken place so far. When we bring together a group of approximately 100 people from across the different provinces at each venue, we try to split them up in order that they engage with people they do not know. There are a diversity and plurality of views, even among the smaller groups of eight to ten people around the tables on topics, including those of the PESCO defence and security. That reinforces the complexity and the nuanced nature of the topics people are discussing.

The responses have been very nuanced across the two dialogues that have taken place to date. I remember the people at one table during the debate we had in Cork were fully in favour of there being greatly increased collaboration on security and defence issues and were fully behind Ireland's position on PESCO whereas the table next to them, table F, were completely against it. The level of debate on that issue was interesting. Certainly, some people are calling for a rethink on the issue, which is also interesting. There were calls for an evolution of Ireland's traditional long-held position on neutrality, while at the same citizens' dialogues people were very strongly of the view that this position must be maintained and upheld regardless of the challenges. The issues of cybersecurity and terrorism were also discussed. We noticed the complexity and nuances of the views at the debates we have had to date.

The Senator's point regarding migration and the visa process is interesting. It has been encouraging that a mixture of people have attended these dialogues. It has not only been citizens form Ireland. Citizens from different EU member states and further afield have come along and inputted in the engagement on how they view Ireland's relationship with Europe and the way they want it to develop. The gatherings have been very diverse and multicultural and that has enriched the dialogue, debate and also the discussion and the findings. We have noticed that there is no one-size-fits-all view. I am sure members of the committee could attest to that being the case. There is no one view on any one particular topic. If we have 100 participants at a debate, I can guarantee we will have 100 different points of view, which is to be commended.

The Senator is right in pointing out that it is not an easy task to moderate this engagement. My colleague, Ms Nora Trench Bowles, is involved on the communications and multimedia side. She probably has a harder job than I do. The hardest job I have is to make sure people do not go over the allotted time.

The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, county councillors, Members of the European Parliament, MEPs, and Members of the Oireachtas have attended these dialogues and are to be commended. We appreciate the support and any assistance members of the committee can give us. We would love to see the Senator Craughwell at the debate is Letterkenny next week. Hopefully the snow will have thawed by that stage. We are hoping for a good turnout in Ulster and the north west. We believe such dialogue is extremely important. This is an important body of work. The depth and intensity of the dialogues and debates taking place are affirming and enriching. People are very engaged and that is to be commended.