Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no prejudged outcome to the consultative forum on international security policy. That has been convened with a view to initiating an open and evidence-based discussion on the State's foreign and security policy. The consultative forum will take place in three different locations across four days this month, that is, at University College Cork on 22 June; at University of Galway on 23 June; and at Dublin Castle on 26 and 27 June.

The Government is committed to investing in our Defence Forces and in our Defence Forces' capabilities and equipment. We have had a debate on this very recently. There is no prejudged outcome. It is not an excuse to abandon neutrality. There is no question of Ireland joining NATO or anything like it. It is about co-operation. We co-operate also with our European colleagues around the security of our continents in the EU. This consultative forum does not have any prejudged outcomes, nor should it be suggested that it does.

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