Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

He said that in one sense it was but, in another sense it was not and that people kind of dislike it. I have been on the interparliamentary mission of the OSCE. I am a member of many different academic and military groups in Europe. As a journalist for the last 25 years, I have met many key decision-makers in Europe and in our community. I have never encountered any criticism or disapproval of our neutral status. From time to time I have encountered curiosity. The only thing I have encountered is that people are sometimes surprised at how poorly funded our Defence Forces are and the state they have been allowed to get into through no fault of the personnel. Where is Professor Tonra's evidence for suggesting that our partners in Europe or internationally dislike or disapprove of our neutral status?