Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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My initial contribution relates to Senator Daly's comments regarding our neutrality. I am amazed that there was nothing about neutrality in the Minister's statement. I get the sense that, behind the scenes as opposed to through the Minister, there is a constant fear that we might be regarded as outsiders in Europe because of our stance on neutrality. Our neutral position is so important that we have contributed much through the UN in peacekeeping missions around the world. We should be proud of the role that the Defence Forces play in peacekeeping missions, be it a 500-person mission in Lebanon or a 20-person mission in other parts of the Middle East or elsewhere. The missions are equally important. The most important thing that this country can contribute to world peace is to continue our neutrality. While we are full members of the EU, there is no obligation on us to join in with European policy on building up a European force or anything else. Our neutrality is something we should protect very carefully. When the Minister gets the opportunity to reply, will he assure us that the independent and neutral role we play, and the importance of it, will never be undermined as long as we hold our position on neutrality?