Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 26 June 2025

Committee on Defence and National Security

General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 : Discussion (Resumed)

2:00 am

Photo of Alice-Mary HigginsAlice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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Going on to the language of the Bill, we have spoken a lot about peacekeeping, peacekeepers and peace missions, but the Bill is quite wide, not just as to how missions are authorised but also as to their purposes. It also refers to the purpose of "strengthening international security". That is also a phrase that is used. What does strengthening international security not include? Can it include the security of interests, including economic interests? I have a third question so I ask Mr. Noonan to keep his answer short.