Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Will the Taoiseach indicate when the Dáil will debate the Government's decision to join the EU's permanent structure co-operation on security and defence, PESCO, which has to be signed off at the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 11 December. The EU Commission has stated that the difference with PESCO relates to the binding nature of the commitment undertaken by member states in the context of various forms of co-operation it covers. The Secretary General of NATO has indicated that this measure would strengthen the EU pillar within NATO. This will lead to a massive increase in defence spending and in the development of the defence industry. It has huge implications for Ireland in the context of budgets and the nature of our Defence Forces. When will we have a proper debate on this historic development, which needs to be decided upon by the House and not just the Cabinet?

See this speech in context