Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the consultative forum on international security policy, the Tánaiste announced last week that the Government plans to have a consultative forum on international security policy. It will take place in June and aim to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State and the links to and between our foreign, security and defence policies. It will focus on a wide range of issues, including Ireland's efforts to protect the rules-based international order, through peacekeeping and crisis management, disarmament and non-proliferation, international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention and peacebuilding, as well as allowing for a discussion on Ireland's policy of military neutrality. The forum will also provide an opportunity to examine the experiences and policy choices of other partners in responding to the new security environment in Europe. The international security environment has changed significantly over the past year. We have seen that in respect of Ukraine.

The consultative forum will allow for an open and informed discussion on the issues involved and will provide a unique opportunity to bring together a wide range of stakeholders from the foreign policy and security and defence community, as well as civil society, political representatives, academics and other relevant bodies, as well as members of the broader public. We believe we need to have a serious and honest conversation about the international security policy options available to the State and the implications of each, as well as examine ways in which we can work with, and learn from, other European and international partners. The forum will have an overall chairperson, who will be tasked with directing and overseeing the discussions. The Tánaiste has confirmed that Louise Richardson, the highly respected president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and former vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, has kindly agreed to take on this important role. The consultative forum will take place in three different locations: University College Cork on 22 June, the University of Galway on 23 June, and Dublin Castle on 26 June and 27 June. The forum will be open to the general public, with opportunities to attend in person or virtually and to make written submissions. Further details will be made available in the coming weeks.

A couple of Members referred to a citizens' assembly. The Tánaiste floated the idea. It is okay to float ideas; I do it too, as does everyone in this House, but ultimately, on consideration, it was decided not to act on the proposal. No proposal for a citizens' assembly was made to the Government. A decision was made to have a consultative forum instead.

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