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

Successive Secretaries General of the United Nations have endorsed the development of the EU battle group concept and Ireland's participation in it. As I said, participation in EU battle groups supports the development of rapid deployment skills and capabilities within the Defence Forces and would improve interoperability with like-minded states. It ultimately assists us in participating in UN peacekeeping missions. Also, we have been part of the evolution of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy for the past 20 years and that has not impacted our military neutrality. We have been able to do that. The EU needs to do crisis management and we need to debate the triple lock, not because of neutrality but because of a simple question. The Deputy might be comfortable with Russia deciding whether Ireland participates in a peacekeeping mission but I am increasingly not satisfied-----

See this speech in context