Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for joining us. This is an important engagement. I do not often avail of an opportunity to agree with my colleague, Deputy Seán Crowe. He is not here, sadly, to hear me endorse fully his proposal that a greater level of consideration be given to the matter of resourcing our committees. All our committees work hard and assiduously, Often, however, it appears we are working away in our own bubble. The issue of resources is important. Having said that, the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence is a committee of some significance. During the past 25 years, however, never have there been such circumstances in which the work of this committee is under the spotlight to such a degree, especially having regard to the change in the European and national landscapes.

Briefly, I would raise a few issues with the Taoiseach. The first is regarding Northern Ireland. How does the Taoiseach respond to an assertion on the part of the UK Government that its intention to unilaterally tear up the Northern Ireland protocol is in the protection of the Good Friday Agreement? That seems to have been contained in official press releases in the past 24 hours.

Second, acknowledging the crisis of confidence in political unionism, a reluctance on the part of the largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party, to enter a power-sharing Executive and further polarisation heightened by the dialled up rhetoric in the course of an election campaign, has the Irish Government a role in dialling back from some of the more polarised rhetoric? How, for example, can the matter of extreme polarisation be dealt with, particularly having regard to the sensitive and contested issues such as legacy, culture and language? Does the Taoiseach accept that the challenge for Irish nationalism and for British unionism is to respect the integrity of each other’s position? In this regard, let me signal, on behalf of my committee and on my own behalf, strong support for the Taoiseach’s shared island concept and for his work in that regard. If I could be so bold, I ask him to prioritise this work in the context of his remaining months in office because I believe it is extremely important in the search for solutions. I thank the Taoiseach for the engagement he has undertaken.

Third, on the matter of the Middle East peace process, our committee furnished a pretty detailed report last year. It was with regret we noticed the matter was not subjected to any form of Dáil debate. The Taoiseach will tell me that this is a matter for the Business Committee and not a matter for his office. However, I am sure he has some influence with the Whip's office. However, more importantly, does he still see any role for Ireland in the context of the Middle East peace process and has he raised the issue with his international colleagues?

Similarly, last year our committee furnished what we believed was a very important and detailed report on the matter of Covid vaccine equity throughout the world. Again, however, and unfortunately, we felt that we were talking to ourselves. However, now that Covid has moved down the agenda, I remind the Taoiseach of its importance and perhaps an important influential role Ireland might have as an advocate in ensuring Covid vaccine equity on the international stage is kept very much on the agenda.

In respect of defence, the current war in Ukraine has placed European security and defence at the top of the agenda. We see the ever-changing landscape across Europe, even today with Finland, Sweden, Austria and Denmark all re-examining their roles. I put it to the Taoiseach that our long-held status of being neutral or non-aligned is unsustainable. How does he see us moving along from that? I refer to the really important report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which is a matter of importance to our committee.

Moving along from that, I refer to the important report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which is a matter of importance for our committee. I know it has not gone before the Government yet. I believe there is an urgency there, as well as an importance. I would ask that the Taoiseach, for example, on the matter of its implementation, might look at what the previous Government did on the matter of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. I ask that there would be an implementation role for the Taoiseach’s Department because without having the influence of the Department of the Taoiseach, it might move down the agenda in a way that might give rise to a source of dissatisfaction for some. The issue of the budget has been mentioned by the Minister, but he will need the Taoiseach’s support and the support of the Government because of the low morale in the Defence Forces. How does the Taoiseach see it?

Finally, there has been mention of a citizens' assembly. I, as a committee chair, do not see that as a way forward. Perhaps the Taoiseach might like to share his view with us.