Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The greatest defence our peacekeepers have when they are overseas is that we have a reputation for humanitarian intervention. Our peacekeepers put themselves in harm's way to avoid conflict. We have an extraordinary tradition on that. Many of our peacekeepers have lost their lives in the name of peace. I fully agree that when our peacekeepers are overseas, they should be equipped with the best possible equipment. The Minister is speaking at an arms industry event later. Can he guarantee that those arms will simply be going to our peacekeepers overseas? Will they be used for other more nefarious, violent and aggressive purposes? If that is the case, I do not believe he should be speaking there.

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