Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Given that we are already committed to many UN mandated missions, for which we have a proud record that is acknowledged throughout the world, and also, regretfully, that we have committed to the EU battlegroup, why in God's name would we have anything to do with NATO or its Partnership for Peace at this stage? I see that another Deputy has tabled a question on that issue. Why would we commit money - it costs the Irish taxpayer money to remain committed to the Partnership for Peace - given our commitments elsewhere which are honourable and should be continued in the UN mandated group? Given that NATO is a Cold War relic and should have been disbanded many years ago, it should not be allowed to further threaten the stability of the EU or the stability of the world. Will the Minister of State start the process to withdraw from NATO's Partnership for Peace at this stage?

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