Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----or perhaps the need to ensure the media, who are absent from the Chamber today, take some notice of an issue relating to defence.

I very much welcome Sinn Féin's support for our Defence Forces. I recognise its recognition that on this side of the island there is only one legitimate army, which can call itself Óglaigh na hÉireann; its recognition it should simply have a political wing and no longer have a military wing; and the fact that the military wing does not exist. I welcome all of this. However, let the Deputy not re-invent history. The Defence Forces were not drawn into an unfortunate conflict which was taking place in Northern Ireland. Conflict took place in Northern Ireland. It was a conflict of murder and mayhem in which many people lost their lives who should never have lost their lives and in which the Provisional IRA was fully engaged and saw the Defence Forces of this State as its enemy-----

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