Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see the Minister back in mischievous form again, that he has got his mischievous mojo back. We enjoy it when he is on form.

The Minister is well aware of the concerns about NATO. A substantial number of the more prominent NATO countries have a colonial history in North Africa and the Middle East. NATO was supposed to have been dismantled after the Cold War. It is a relic of that time and is no longer necessary. The United Nations and the EU are in place to deal with conflict resolution. I am not asking for the Minister's personal view, I am asking for the Government position. Does it stand over our long-held and proud tradition of active, participative neutrality, playing to our strengths, to protect human rights, help developing nations and, where necessary, to be involved in peacekeeping and conflict resolution?

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