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

I think we need to have clarity. We have to be upfront about it. Deputy Howlin started off this debate well by going back to the fundamentals. We all desire to respond positively to the submissions we get but, as a State, we need clear demarcation lines and clear basic principles that govern how the Defence Forces operate and the relationship between that and our political system. That is a very fundamental point, and there is a need for some clarity.