Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has asked the question and I have given him my views. This is a debate and maybe it is the catalyst for the commencement of a debate. We will shortly commence work on a strategic defence review and this is a serious issue that we need to consider. Peacekeeping is a noble Irish tradition. It has been a hallmark of the execution of our foreign policy and has brought great honour to the nation, involving generations of peacekeepers. There is a real possibility now that there will not be a UN peacekeeping mission for some time, particularly given how the world is evolving and how certain powers are using other militias and paramilitary groups to exert their will in certain parts of the world. We need to take stock of all of that reality and have that informed debate. I have repeatedly said this. Wearing my Department of Foreign Affairs hat, I will say that we are also looking at that discussion and at what type of forum we would develop to discuss the wider issues of the modern day threats to the security of the State and the area of clarifying and working through our position around military neutrality and so forth.

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