Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

My apologies. I am seeking to quantify the total number of extra personnel. The Minister may be able to assist me in that regard.

There is no doubt that the challenges faced by the Security Council and by Ireland are enormous. Ireland is a small country and we have to be realistic in respect of the impact it can make through the Security Council. In fairness, however, it is right that we start to analyse the impact we are making, given the extra cost entailed and the necessity for help. What progress has been made on some of our objectives, such as a mine-free world? The Minister made a commitment in that regard. What progress has been made on reducing nuclear weapons proliferation, or even on the issue of Ukraine? I note the Israeli and French leaders contacted Putin to see if they could influence his thinking in respect of driving towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. This Government seems to have a policy of outsourcing foreign policy towards the European Union in recent times. Is the State utilising the leverage it has in this position to its maximum effect?

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