Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody who took the time to participate in the debate. I do not agree with all the views but it is certainly appropriate that with any of these projects, we have a debate and make an informed decision on the back of that.

We had the opportunity to discuss many of these matters and I thought, naively, that the conversation, including questions and answers, in committee had addressed some of the genuine concerns that Members expressed. For some Members it was as if we did not have that discussion at all. The same matters raised then were raised again today as if somebody else has written the script. Of course, everybody is entitled to make their views known but it is important for us to try to deal with the facts. What we are asking today has no bearing on Irish neutrality. Today we are supporting what the Defence Forces would like to see us do, which is to give them the advantage and opportunity to be able to share information via a secure piece of infrastructure that would allow them do their job more effectively.

Some Deputies seem to be suggesting that Irish neutrality equates to Irish isolation from all co-operation with neighbours, friendly states and member states that share the EU with us. A number of other neutral countries are part of this project, including Sweden, Malta and Finland. I presume their ministers are being asked the same questions before they opt into projects like this. It is what we are doing. Nobody is forcing Ireland into this space. We are choosing to want to be part of this along with many other countries because we think it makes sense.

Deputy Berry outlined three reasons for supporting this and they sum up the matter. This is essentially a secure database and communications system that allows countries to co-operate and give each other a heads-up because we share waters. As vessels cross boundaries at sea, we can share information about what is coming and going. That does not undermine our neutrality or lead to a European army or more investment in military activity by other countries. It does not happen because we are co-operating in sharing data and efficiencies, becoming better at stopping drugs coming into the country or giving us better search and rescue capacity. It is about giving us the capacity to choose to go to the Mediterranean to opt into a mission that saves lives. That is what it is about.

Of course there is a political debate around European security and defence policies and it is legitimate to have it. My position is and will continue to be that Ireland can be of most use globally and to itself by remaining a neutral state and not aligning ourselves militarily with any alliances.

Deputy John Brady raised the example of Denmark and suggested we should do what it does. Denmark is a very active member of NATO and totally unapologetic about it. It does training exercises with NATO. What is the Deputy talking about? This is not about compromising our independence or neutrality.

It is about co-operating in areas where we choose to co-operate because it means a safer environment for our Defence Forces. Let us consider the idea that we would not co-operate with other friendly member states that we co-operate with on so many other issues, that we share the Single Market, a customs union and a political union with, and that we would not co-operate with them on cybersecurity threats, on understanding what is at sea and potentially coming into Irish waters and on search and rescue capacity. Let us have a real discussion about what I am seeking the Dáil's approval for today, as opposed to having a debate on what is not being asked of the Dáil today. That is what I ask. I thought we had got to that point in the committee, where we addressed the issues of genuine concern. I believe there were genuine concerns about neutrality issues and whether there were compromises in this project of which we are seeking to be a part.

I take the points made. Believe me, I am in the middle of this in terms of the capacity issues in the Defence Forces, and particularly the Naval Service, in respect of human resources, recruitment and retention. We are taking that issue extremely seriously. It is a major priority for me. The commission is examining that as well. We are working with the commission and certainly not waiting for the commission to report to continue to work on the recruitment and retention issue. However, for the purposes of today's debate, I ask for approval from the Dáil to co-operate with other member states, some of which are neutral and some of which are not. I commend the motion to the House.

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