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

I congratulate and thank our Defence Forces for the great peacekeeping work they have done over the years. They have served with distinction. They are recognised all over the world for the great work they have done and people thank them for that. I am in favour of our neutrality. Generations that came before us were in favour of our neutrality and we all want to thank Eamon de Valera, who was Taoiseach at that time, for the stance he took during the Second World War to ensure our neutrality. That is the way we should be from here on. I hear the leader of the Minister's party saying we should have a debate, that the world is changing and we should change. If we are to change our stance on neutrality, it must be the people of Ireland who make that decision. It must be a referendum. The people of the country are entitled to that. If the Government wants to change that, it will have to allow a referendum. I do not believe the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste are entitled to make that decision for us. It is the people who should make it.

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