Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we are all putting our academic credentials on the table, I will declare that I studied international relations in TCD under Professor Patrick Keatinge in the 1980s and had robust discussions with him on Irish neutrality. At that time, there was the Falklands War, the rise of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and so forth. It was a very interesting time in my life.

I have a couple of questions for Professor Ó Beacháin first. Coming in so late in the discussion, some of the questions I prepared have been asked. I wanted to ask about Russia and the threat of EU liberal democratic values. Professor Tonra has answered on that issue but I will put it to Professor Ó Beacháin as well. To what extent is Russia not afraid in the context of security and defence matters but, rather, is afraid of the rise of EU liberal democratic values? I know Professor Tonra answered that question but perhaps Professor Ó Beacháin will answer it as well.

What is his view on the Russian military exercises? Was it a threat? Was it meant to intimidate or was it a story that was blown out of all proportion? I know the former chief of staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, said it was meant to threaten and intimidate. I would be interested to hear the views of Professor Ó Beacháin on what was behind the decision to hold these military exercises that are taking place this week, I understand.

What is Professor Ó Beacháin's understanding of the cyberattack on the HSE? Who carried it out? I heard Professor Tonra say that there is a bit of unhappiness about the Irish response to Ukraine specifically or to Russia in general. I have sat beside the Taoiseach in the Dáil Chamber, including when he was leader of the Opposition, for many discussions on statements pre- or post-European Council meetings and I know he is a staunch critic of Russia and all the various things it has been doing through the years. Does Professor Ó Beacháin consider that has anything to do with the cyberattack? Is Russia out to get Ireland in any way or was it purely a criminal act with no direct or indirect link to the Russian Government?

I will move to my questions for Professor Tonra. Nobody has mentioned the so-called strategic compass this morning. What is his understanding of that? At the conclusion of his presentation, Professor Tonra stated that Ireland will be bringing its own values and interests to bear in that context. I hear what he has been saying all morning, but does the strategic compass give him any hope for dealing with the challenges we have outlined? I am not saying I agree with all the views he has articulated, but does he think the strategic compass has the capacity to improve the situation as far as the EU is concerned?

Could the witnesses comment on the so-called Normandy framework involving Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine? I understood that Russia was happy to use that process to deal with the Ukraine crisis. Is it just sowing division between the EU and the US?

My next question concerns Germany. I know we cannot refer to Germany as a person so what is the new Chancellor Olaf Scholt up to? What is his strategy relating to Russia and the EU? Is he falling between two stools? The witnesses said he has given the go-ahead for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and blocked exports to Ukraine. Is he trying to play both sides or is he slowly coming round to the EU perspective on this issue?