Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. We have issued a statement on the issue.

On the detention of Mr. Bernard Phelan, I have been in touch with the Iranian foreign minister and I had a long discussion with him. It is a very difficult situation for Mr. Phelan. We are continuing our contacts with the Iranian Government. He is a dual citizen as the Deputy noted. In our view, his imprisonment is wrong. To protect his health and well-being his release from prison is essential. We have asked in the strongest possible terms for his release on humanitarian grounds. We would ask the Iranian authorities to respond on that basis.

Regarding the UN missions, I signalled at the defence Estimates meeting that Ireland was joining an EU battle group and we had taken a Government decision to do so. That is not new. We have been consistent since 2000 in participating in EU battle groups. This makes sense regarding interoperability and to pursue common defence policy at European Union level, which we have been doing now for well over 30 years. That is a fact which people may not appreciate. I am taken with Senator Craughwell's point more generally. There is no connection between that decision and neutrality. Perhaps Deputy Brady was being a bit mischievous in suggesting such but there is absolutely no connection