Mr. Declan Power:

I am sorry, but I think this is an important point. During the forums on international security, Professor Laurent Goetschel of Basel University's Swiss peace institute was asked a question about Swiss neutrality versus Irish neutrality. He said neutrality is not a religion but is a foreign policy concept that must be handled in the interests of a state and adapted to certain contexts and situations. As regards Switzerland's attitude to NATO, which the committee might find interesting, he said it seeks to strengthen international co-operation and that the Swiss seek to be close to and co-operate with the EU and NATO but that from a defence perspective, the Swiss value their relationship with NATO more. The Swiss also have an interoperable partnership with NATO through PfP, as do we, and seek to contribute to NATO too rather than just to receive, in respect of resilience, crisis management and cybersecurity capabilities. In other words, the Swiss are saying they continue to be neutral but also continue to develop relationships so they can co-operate and co-ordinate. Dr. Camino Kavanagh, a researcher on maritime matters for the UN, reminded us at a conference in this country that when it comes to the sea, Ireland cannot police the seas it is responsible for by itself.