Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have done nothing short in my life. I thank Dr. McDonagh and Professor Tonra for coming in. They have dealt with the issue of Ireland's neutrality and our independent foreign policy. It would be difficult to get movement on that. Whatever future questions are asked, the slaughter in Palestine has created greater difficulties to a degree. Obviously, what the Russians have done is part of a game they have been at for a long time. It is old-style imperialism. The western world's show of solidarity and it being absolutely sound in respect of that circumstance is not what the Palestinians have experienced, however, and that creates a credibility issue. Alongside that, Professor Tonra referred to the wider credibility issue for the European Union if Russia wins. I know that winning does not always look like it does in the films. I do not see Irish people seeking to move from that. I think we all accept we have a capability issue and realise we are a major communications hub. I accept that no matter what we do, there will always be a need for co-operation, whatever that may look like.

What do the witnesses believe Ukraine would need in order to win? The point was made that the aid provided by the West has given the Ukraine sufficient capacity to stay in the game but not to win. It is trying to win against a nuclear power that is bigger and can always do that next thing. I am not sure where it is going to go. Dr. McDonagh referred to the idea of a European military industrial complex and the fact that a shape and structure is being put on that. I ask the witnesses to expand on that point. Russia has been playing games all over the world. We have seen what has happened in Georgia lately. What is their view on that point?

Dr. McDonagh said something interesting. I would have said that Trump will engage in isolationism across the board, as Professor Tonra stated, but Dr. McDonagh is of the view that Trump is so transactional that if somebody engages with him in the context of American business, all bets are on, rather than off.

I am curious as to how that happens. On the Baltic states, I accept it is almost like the Sudeten German issue. I also accept we could have different questions to ask in the future but it is hard to ask a question before being in that situation. I refer to what I said previously around the credibility issue. Anyway, sin sin. We are not quite sure where this is going to end.