John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to return to the point the Minister made about a government-to-government transfer and what is being looked at regarding the transfer of LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara.

The Minister will be well aware of comments made by Members of the House calling for the vessels to be transferred to Ukraine. As sympathetic as I am with Ukraine and what is going on in there in terms of the illegal invasion by Russia, if that option is being looked at it would seriously undermine Ireland's position as a military neutral country. It would be very concerning if that is being looked at. Will the Minister put on record whether that is currently being looked at by him and, indeed, the Government or the Department? It would be very concerning if it were. He has previously outlined what we are doing to help people in Ukraine. I stand by and support that, but any military investment would run contrary to Ireland's military neutral position.

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