Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

How does the Minister of State reconcile what we have outlined? There is huge investment in armaments, weapons of mass destruction and the intensification of militarisation. The Taoiseach attended and participated in such meetings while, supposedly, proclaiming this to be a neutral state.

What is meant by increased synergies between the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, and freedom-security-justice actors to tackle horizontal issues such as illegal migration? Are we going to line up some of the new drones and weapons at the border to shoot the unfortunate people who are desperately trying to flee poverty, hunger and desperation to try to find a better life in Europe?

The economic policies outlined are a repeat of the same old neoliberal austerity philosophy based on cut throat competition, driving down wages and working conditions, extending working lives and working until one dies. How will this resolve anything since it has not done so already?

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