Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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I thank the witnesses for coming and for their submissions. My first question is for Mr. Noonan. We spoke about the pressure that politicians and the media refer to from Europe to step up Ireland's defence. What are Mr. Noonan's thoughts on how that pressure interacts with the declarations of the Nice and Lisbon treaties that acknowledge the neutrality of member states in the context of the Common Defence and Security Policy.

Second, the committee heard from another witness a few weeks ago about concerns that this legislation could potentially undermine the Nice and Lisbon treaties themselves and the validity of them and that they could face a legal test. What are Mr. Noonan's thoughts on both these points, please?