Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I want to hear from the Minister because what is happening is a full-scale military training mission. To quote from the Council of the EU press statement, the aim of the mission "is to enhance the military capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces". The fact sheet states that includes operational training; preparation of companies, battalions and brigades in collective manoeuvres and tactics up to battalion level; and advice on the planning, preparation and conduct of live firing exercise. I do not see how participating in military training of an army that is involved in a war is not a breach of military neutrality. Austria is not participating because it is militarily neutral. I presume the Minister will say we will be involved just in training in de-mining. Can he give a guarantee that is all Irish troops will be involved in, or could this expand? Does he not accept that there should be a vote in Dáil Éireann on participation in a conflict? Participation in any war requires a vote in Dáil Éireann under the Constitution. Training one side in a war surely constitutes participation.

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