Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I too want to raise the consultative forum on international security policy. I welcome the statement the Tánaiste issued just now, confirming that the Government does not intend to change Ireland's policy of military neutrality. It is important that the Tánaiste made that clear, and I welcome that. I want to know if the debate in recent days around the balance of participants in the forum will lead the Government to reconsider and ensure a more balanced level of participation? I refer in particular to representatives from Malta and Austria, the only two other militarily neutral states in the EU. Crucially, will the Dáil have a chance to debate and scrutinise the report when it is produced, rather than it just going to Government? My colleague, Deputy Howlin, has already raised this point. It is important that we have an opportunity to do that.

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