Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to speak on this motion. I welcome the annual report on the Defence Forces activity with the United Nations. My home town of Clonmel has a long and noble tradition of having Defence Forces members on active duty overseas. It was a tradition we were all sad to see end with the closure of Kickham Barracks some years ago by the Government. That barracks was a prime location in Clonmel and people took pride in driving up to it to see the Tricolour flying and the troops on duty. Indeed, any time they were called on to help with an emergency due to snow, flooding or anything else, not only in Clonmel but throughout the county and into County Waterford, they were always ready, willing and available.

Like the Minister, I acknowledge the sheer professionalism and bravery of the Irish Defence Forces personnel who deploy with UN missions. Indeed, Deputy Grealish referred to Jadotville on Leaders' Questions in the House some time ago. I was proud to attend five or six St. Patrick's Day parades and every one of them included retired veterans. They are so proud of their flag and their country. They added panache and military style to those parades in Tipperary and probably throughout the country as well. I specifically salute the work of the Defence Forces personnel who are deployed on humanitarian missions and those involved with the three Naval Service vessels in the Mediterranean.

Almost every night on our television screens we see the heroic work they do, the desperately dangerous situations for them and the perilous situations that unfortunate refugees find themselves in. These refugees scrape together some savings to pay people, many of whom are gangsters, to get passage on all kinds of unsuitable vessels, and then tragedy occurs. Thankfully, our vessels and personnel were there to rescue some of them.They should be rewarded for that. Every day we see the great work they are doing to assist the Italian authorities with the migrant crisis in their seas.

As the Minister of State has previously noted, Irish participation in the humanitarian missions has resulted in the rescue of more than 8,500 migrants, which clearly demonstrates the value of Ireland’s involvement in this important humanitarian response. Unfortunately, there were many more who were not saved, but it was not for the want of heroic effort by our personnel.

The Minister of State has also noted that Naval Service crew on the LÉ James Joyceplayed an outstanding role in saving the lives of so many men, women and children, many of whom were fleeing desperate circumstances. I spoke today about the persecution of Christians and minority Muslim sects in the Middle East, and we have refused to have a proper and meaningful debate in the House over the years. In fairness, tomorrow - Holy Thursday - it is 12 months since the Ceann Comhairle gave Deputies Noel Grealish, Kevin O'Keeffe and me a double Topical Issue debate to discuss the issue. That is all. We are denying it. The Minister was also in the House to listen to that today.

Defence Forces personnel have also served as part of a UK-led joint inter-agency task force that is tackling Ebola in west Africa. Ireland is up for any challenge and is ready, willing and able.

I was surprised to read that the current contribution to overseas missions is a very significant 585 personnel. This is a huge number. We are punching above our weight, as we always are in Éire. This demonstrates Ireland, relative to its size, is making a very large contribution to the international peacekeeping effort. This should be noted.

It is my concern, and hope, that we can maintain that noble tradition without risk to the integrity of our neutrality and that we will not end up being drawn into armed deployment either through the back door or the front door of a broader EU policy of increasing militarisation. We must guard against that outcome. I am aware the Minister of State appreciates this, but then we see our Taoiseach acting as Leo the lion with the French Prime Minister. He had a rush of blood to join up with his friends, counterparts and Germans to blame the Russians without any investigation or knowledge or proof of anyone being tried. It was a case of being guilty before anything is proved. We had a premise of being innocent until proven guilty. This is also damaging to the morale. I am aware that the Minister of State has visited the personnel during St. Patrick's Day. I wish the forces a safe Easter - I cannot say enjoyable - away from their loved ones. I salute them and their families. I hope they will have a peaceful Easter, although not at home with their families. Go n-éirí an t-ádh leo go léir.

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