Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

One of the core elements of supporting Ireland's policy of neutrality should be the wish for Ireland to be a peacemaker, a neutral mediator seeking international justice and a fair contributor to the humanitarian cause, as we always have been. This should always underpin Ireland's consistent and active participation in UN peacekeeping measures. If it does not, we run the risk of our sons, daughters and grandchildren fighting other people's wars. I am very concerned about the slippery slope the Minister is on and about the stance he is taking without any reasonable modicum of debate in the House.

Two warships have recently been to the Minister's own city of Cork. There was a British ship at the quay in Cork ten days ago and there was a Canadian ship there yesterday. At least ten gardaí arrived when one or two people went to question what the ships were doing there and what it cost to mind them. Who invited these warships into our, that is to say the people's, Port of Cork? What was the mission of these NATO warships in being there? What were they doing there? What do we hope to achieve by having them there? Is it to soften us up before we slide into participation with NATO? We are supposed to be neutral and we should be neutral. As I said here last week, we cannot ride two horses. If we try, we will fail with both. I want answers from the Minister as to who invited the warships, why they were there and what their purpose was. I also want a guarantee that we will guarantee the independence of our State.

Having sought so hard the job of Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin is everywhere except in the Chamber. He is Spain, he is at NATO talks and he is at all kinds of other talks cheerleading for Europe instead of being here, answerable to the Parliament. This is the second or third week in a row he has not been here for Leaders' Questions. He has limited time. He is all over the place.

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