John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Nobody would argue against those points. Our Defence Forces need all of that. Yet, this is a matter of the vehicle in which it is being used and where the final destination will be. That is the issue of concern.

I have two points. The Minister spoke about the benchmarks that we have to adhere to in order to be of NATO standard. Of course, there has been much focus on NATO. I therefore have two specific questions, the first of which is whether the Minister thinks that the Irish Defence Forces should sign up to NATO at any point. Second, the Taoiseach has stated he believes that a referendum would be required if we were to look at joining NATO. I seek the Minister’s own views in that regard. First, does he think that we should join NATO? Second, should there be a referendum on our neutrality and on the issue of joining NATO?