Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

Irish neutrality is a foreign policy tradition that stretches back over centuries. Irish political leaders from Wolfe Tone to O'Connell and James Connolly have advocated neutrality as the best way to serve the common good and to oppose militarism in society. Small countries have always been naturally sceptical of big military blocs because such blocs orientate their foreign policy around their own national interests, which normally means their economic interests. A perfect example of this has been the actions of the United States in the Middle East. Small countries also realise that when they are members of large military blocs they have very little influence over the direction of those blocs. They have to participate in wars but they do not have a say over what wars are fought.

Irish neutrality has actually served us very well. Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya were perfect examples of wars of which it was good and logical for Ireland to stay out. Obviously, one does not have to be neutral in identifying what is right and wrong or helping countries, even though our country is militarily neutral. This is why it is up to this country to help with regard to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Gaza conflict.

One of the problems I have with the Government on this is that, despite having built up massive competency internationally for being an honest broker owing to being Ireland is neutral and to the good works we have done through the UN over the years, this Government has failed to utilise that competency in any way around the Israel-Gaza war. I have asked the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach and the Minister, Simon Harris, what actions and material offers have they made to Israel or the Palestinian Authority to act as a mediator, an interlocutor or a facilitator for peace. All three representatives of the Government said they had not made any such offer. I asked if they would make an offer into the future and they said "No", they were not going to make an offer. The Minister, Simon Harris, mentioned that no offer could be made until there is a ceasefire. This is a nonsense. Peace negotiations and peace processes start before there are ceasefires. That is a major issue.

Ireland can actually be an active neutrality agent in bringing peace to the world. I am not saying that Israel would say "Yes" to our offer but, as a country, we should be closing down any excuse it has for not participating in peace talks. We should be pushing through the European Union to try to make it establish an international peace conference as well. The European Union is, unfortunately, at sixes and sevens on this particular conflict.

When the Tánaiste mentioned that he is very focused on strengthening the security of this country, I laughed out loud because the Government's record on the security of this country is worse than useless. The biggest threat to our Defence Forces is Government policy. We have an exodus of personnel from the Defence Forces currently because of the Government's actions. The Defence Forces strength is down to 7,500 in the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps. This exodus is caused by the Government's actions on pay, conditions and terms of work. Simply, if you want to have people work, you need to treat them right and give them a decent wage. The Government is refusing to do that to the extent that we can only put two ships on the high seas at the moment. We cannot monitor our land, seas or cyberspace because this Government has stood idly by. The Government is the biggest threat to our security. If it meant business as regards our security, it would significantly invest in our Defence Forces.

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