Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I too oppose this proposal. It is very clear that there is an attempt to bulldoze this through the Oireachtas and bounce us into PESCO, which is effectively a militarised Europe. This issue was initially raised on 14 November. It was cleared by the Cabinet on 21 November. However, it was never raised at the Business Committee which sets the agenda for the House, usually two weeks in advance. There was no indication of the matter on the agenda of the Business Committee either on a current week basis or for the following week. On Monday last, we found that we would have two hours to debate this proposal. It is clearly an attempt to bounce us into what is effectively a European army.

There should be proper discussion in the House. It should have been referred to the defence committee where a proper discussion, rather than a tick box exercise as we had yesterday, could take place. The committee would have an opportunity to bring all interested parties before it and hear all of their views. It could have sought public submissions and heard from interest groups like the Army, the Irish Peace and Neutrality Alliance, PANA, Afri and other organisations and individuals that have an interest in this area.

This is an issue not just for the Oireachtas but also the public. There has been no public debate on or scrutiny of this issue. There has been an attempt to bring this in under the wire and get it through the House quickly. The Government has an opportunity to withdraw the proposal and send it to the Citizens' Assembly, which could discuss it properly. The public could have an opportunity to discuss and scrutinise the proposal.

We have heard there is a deadline. It is very clear from the response of the Minister of State on this issue that there is no deadline and that the so-called deadline has more to do with Brexit and the support of the EU for the Irish position. I again call on the Government to withdraw this proposal and allow time for the Oireachtas and the public more generally, including the Citizens' Assembly, to deal with this issue.

It is quite clear from all the documentation that, far from what Deputy Chambers said, PESCO is a binding enhanced defence pact. It is not voluntary or temporary. It is a permanent arrangement and a huge step towards a militarised European Union and European army. We know where that has brought us. There has been chaos in Libya following the interventions of various governments. There are three different governments and vast areas of the country have no government at all. There are various detention centres, some of which are under the control of one or other of the three different governments, while others are under the control of individual militias. The conditions are horrendous and people are being abused, sold as slaves etc.

Those fleeing Libya are being intercepted by EU boats, which unfortunately include Irish ships, and handed back to the Italian Navy which then sends them to one of the pro-European government centres in Libya. They return to horrendous conditions. Millions of people left our shores during the Famine years and afterwards. They found safety and security across the world. Surely people fleeing Libya are entitled to the same.

We are definitely moving towards a common defence pact. As other speakers have said, there is no doubt that is a breach Article 29 of Bunreacht na hÉireann. Has the Government received legal advice from the Attorney General on the issue?

The costs involved are another very serious issue for the public. On an annual basis, they will total approximately €1.5 billion, which is five times what we already spend. That is money which could easily go to other areas. The main part of that expenditure will benefit the arms industry. We have already purchased a number of ships at a cost of €75 million each. We have a tender for a ship costing €250 million. The arms industry will benefit from that type of expenditure. Money should instead go towards dealing with the various emergencies in our country, such as housing. Some 8,500 people are homeless and 3,500 children will wake up on Christmas morning in hotel bedrooms and bed breakfast accommodation.

I call on the Ministers of State, Deputies Finian McGrath and John Halligan, to make their position on this known. They have a record of opposing the militarisation of the EU and a European army. It is incumbent on them to make their position clear before the vote takes place. I am shocked by the intervention and support of Fianna Fáil for this proposal. Eamon de Valera would turn in his grave.

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