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

Ireland's policy of military neutrality has long been a very important strand of our foreign policy. It has been practised by successive Governments of which I have been a member. The policy means that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. The Government has no plans to alter this policy. That is not part of this conference. The Deputy has attempted to make the view that it is. He has tried to damage and undermine the bona fides of the conference.

It is our first major national conversation on international security issues, foreign policy and defence. Why is Deputy so afraid of it? It is public. The public can participate online, make submissions and attend. It is very transparent - openly transparent. All members of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Defence have been invited to attend. Every Member of the Oireachtas can attend, but there is particular facilitation for members of the Oireachtas committee.

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