Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Power. I certainly agree with the latter point he made. It seems that if the Minister had brought forward legislation - and this Bill contains clarifications, which is important - that clarified instances where there have been difficulties, it would have been relatively uncontroversial. I think it would have got the support of the committee, maybe not unanimously but broadly speaking. I am limited for time so I will ask questions in two further areas.

This is directed primarily to Mr. Power but Dr. Burke may answer as well, although I think he has addressed it already. Is it a desirable policy for the Irish State to be neutral? I think Dr. Burke has answered that he thinks it is arguable whether it is or not. Either of the witnesses may answer the question.

In evaluating our situation, it is fair to say that Ireland will never be a major military power. Ireland's strength internationally is the fact that we command respect because of the service of our peacekeepers and also because of the role we have played in multilateral organisations. I understand that both Mr. Power and Dr. Burke might say that this can be overstated. As a small country, anything we do can be overstated to some extent. How we preserve that respect in a volatile world is the question. Dr. Burke gave the example of the former Yugoslav republic of North Macedonia, as it is now. He also outlined the position taken by China in response to the recognition of Taiwan. While that response is different from my position, I would observe that it reflects the fact that politics bleed into situations like this. China responded politically. The witnesses reflected about our ability to evaluate our own situation, the institutions of State and the Constitution. All of those points are valid and I think we do have a robust democracy. Nonetheless, is it not the case that, because of politics, small countries can come under pressure where there are military interventions and other obligations or things owed to other countries? Is it not the case that it does happen that countries come under pressure to participate in missions and deployments? Does the triple lock not offer a protection to any Irish Government that may be reluctant to participate in such a deployment?