Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank People Before Profit for bringing this very important Bill to the Chamber for debate this morning as it allows us discuss Ireland's military posture. It is very topical and timely.

In the limited time available to me I will focus on a niche area that has not been discussed yet this morning, namely, how dependent our Defence Forces are on training and cross-training with other militaries. My big concern about the Bill relates to the wording therein. It says that the State should not "aid foreign powers in any way in preparation for war or other armed conflict". While I can totally understand the motives behind that, the issue on the ground is that the cross-training that is continuing at the moment with other militaries may not be able to continue as a result of this. I will provide five examples to the House to illustrate my point.

First, many Deputies and people at home may not be aware that in my own constituency six Maltese cadets are currently training at the Curragh Camp as part of a 15-month residential course. They are actually being commissioned or graduated next Tuesday and my concern is that if this Bill proceeds such an exchange, which is preparing a foreign power for war or armed conflict, may not be able to proceed in future. I ask representatives of People Before Profit to elaborate on whether that would be an issue for them.

Another example relates to our bomb disposal people. Again, in my own constituency of Kildare South, we have an ordnance school which is a recognised centre of excellence for bomb disposal training in the world. Every year, numerous students and instructors come from other countries to cross-train with Irish students and instructors. I am concerned that this programme would be prohibited under this legislation.

Third, from a hostage rescue point of view, our special forces cross-train with other militaries all across Europe and north America. Would that still be allowed under this legislation? If there was a hostage incident in Dublin Airport tonight or if a ferry was hijacked, would we be able to maintain the standards that the public quite rightly expects if that training channel was closed off?

The fourth example relates to cybersecurity. This country was attacked through cyberspace only last year. We have people in Estonia at the moment at the NATO centre of excellence, one civilian and one military. Would it be possible for that arrangement to continue under this Bill?

Fifth, from a medical perspective, our troops have benefitted enormously from links with the armed forces in the United Kingdom, both in Northern Ireland and in Britain.

There is a lot of training going on from the point of view of life support for battlefield defence trauma, and also for the control of catastrophic haemorrhage. British troops come to Ireland to train, and Irish troops go to the UK to train. It is very important from the point of view of the cross-pollination of ideas.

My big concern with the Bill is that it might isolate Ireland militarily. If any reassurance could be given that that is not the case, it would be greatly appreciated. We have benefitted enormously from interacting and cross-training with other military forces. My concern is that if those channels were closed off, the proficient standards the Defence Forces have achieved would start to degrade and deplete in a matter of months.

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