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

It was with that cause for reflection that I was motivated to ask the question. I assume I have a different opinion from the Tánaiste, in that I believe the triple lock has given us strength until this point and I do not want to infringe in any way on our neutrality, although we may disagree as to whether it would or not. Why not have the debate as opposed to spending the past year or more listening to the Minister's predecessor and other members of the Government saying we need to talk about Irish defence or neutrality? Let us have that conversation at this point.

The Tánaiste said we would need to change primary legislation if we were to reconsider the triple lock. That cannot be imposed either on this House or the population so let us have that debate and make space for it. I encourage the Tánaiste to do that. Let us stop talking about this. The Tánaiste should give us the opportunity to have that debate.

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