Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

We would welcome a citizens' assembly on neutrality. We did not oppose it. I checked the record there. The Minister might correct the record of the House. We would welcome a debate now in a citizens' assembly. Ultimately, we think there should be a referendum. This should be put to the people to decide as opposed to the Minister and his Government leading us step by step towards the erosion of everything that is left of neutrality. That is both in actions, with the latest thing the Government is signing up to being the NATO project for the so-called protection of underseas cables, and then this process.

How is it possible to have even a veneer of impartiality when one is a Dame of the British Empire and is on record as repeatedly supporting the aims of US militarism? How is that in any way compatible with being a chair of a neutral process designed to discuss the process of neutrality? Defend that appointment. I heard the Minister saying to Deputy Barry earlier that he would attack whoever the Government appointed. The Minister might at least have appointed someone who was not repeatedly on the record as supporting the actions of the US military. It really gives the game away regarding what this is about.

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