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

The Deputy has a very negative approach to the idea of even establishing a consultative forum. I find it disturbing in its own way that he would be so resolutely against an open and transparent debate in public forums regarding Ireland's foreign and security policy, as evidenced by his cynical comment about no "preconceived outcomes". I always suspected that the next approach would be to attack the chairperson. It is standard practice for the Deputy's movement and the movement he represents to try to assassinate someone at the knees - verbally, metaphorically speaking - in respect of their bona fides for chairing the committee. The chairperson is a distinguished academic in her own right and has achieved significant respect and credibility internationally for her achievements. That is the context for asking and inviting her to chair this and to compile a report. It will be a matter for me and the Government, subsequently, and indeed for the Oireachtas, if that is required, to then make decisions if decisions will be made in its aftermath. We need public debate and discussion around how Irish foreign and security policy has evolved over the last 20 years and the threats we will face over the next two decades.

See this speech in context