Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste spoke of a citizens' assembly. He has decided to go ahead with an assembly but I note, as I think many other people will do, that he has taken the citizens out of the equation. A meeting of the chiefs of the European navies will take place in Cork tomorrow and on Thursday. Who will be in attendance? Any European Union or European NATO country that has a navy can send representatives. US navy commanders have the right to attend as observers. I understand that NATO's military command will be represented, as will EU military staff. No doubt, the Tánaiste will highlight the question of underwater cables but is the event not also discussing drone technology, artificial intelligence systems and the further militarisation of the European Union? Why is there no advance publicity for this event? To the best of my knowledge, no location has been made public. Will the Tánaiste tell the House the location for this meeting? Does the Tánaiste or any other Government representative intend to attend?

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