Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not quite clear which side of his mouth the Taoiseach is speaking out of. If he is confirming that he is not in favour of changing our policy of neutrality, I welcome that and I apologise if I misinterpreted anything that was attributed to him. The people have spoken repeatedly, most recently in research by Amárach, and overwhelmingly have said we should stand by Ukraine and help it in every possible way with humanitarian aid, but we should retain our neutrality, not in a passive, negative way but in a positive way for peace in the world. That is what they are saying and have always said, including prior to the Nice and Lisbon treaty referendums. I am asking the Taoiseach to confirm that and he seems to have done so. On whether the citizens' assembly is the way to go, I am open to that and I do not mind. I want confirmation, which he appears to have now given.

The biased commentary in all the media, which has suggested we are bold children when we stand up and has demonised us, is not helpful to democracy. It certainly is not democracy because at this point we need people to reflect like Frank Aiken reflected, even though he made it clear he was for democracy and western power. We need a period of reflection and of thinking how to use our voice in the best way possible to promote peace and diplomacy. The Taoiseach should reflect on Versailles when he is there.

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