Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to thank People Before Profit-Solidarity for bringing this important Bill before the House to debate this issue. The issue of Ireland’s neutrality into the future is of massive importance to present and future generations. In light of what is happening to the poor unfortunate people in Ukraine and the fact they need so much assistance and support, it is timely to bring this Bill before the House to have this debate. My view is that our neutrality is sacrosanct. It is extremely important. I thank the peacekeeping missions that have gone abroad over many decades, the NGOs from all sectors of Irish society and the people who have served us well. Our credibility throughout Europe and the world is extremely high when it comes to sending people abroad, whether it be our workforce, our religious or our peacekeeping Army who are highly respected and highly regarded, as were our religious who travelled the world doing their best in what they sought to achieve in the good work they did. It is right to recognise that during a debate like this one.

With regard to the political football that is our neutrality, we should protect and strengthen our Army. We should ensure members of our Defence Forces are properly and adequately paid, that the Army can be considered a career upon which families can rely and that members of it can enjoy serving their country. They are to be highly regarded and respected, whether they are serving at home or abroad, but they must be adequately resourced. This Government and previous governments have neglected them. They did not pay them properly, treat them with respect or acknowledge the important role they play. During different strikes in the past, the Army was always called upon to assist the Government and different Departments in doing much necessary work that had to be carried out. I thank the promoters of the Bill for bringing it to the floor of the House for debate.

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