Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 to 29, inclusive, together.

The previous Taoiseach attended the 60th meeting of the Munich Security Conference, a leading forum for the discussion of security and defence issues, on 16 and 17 February. The then Taoiseach participated in a panel discussion on neutrality where he set out the value of Ireland's military neutrality in a world of increased geopolitical insecurity, including new cyber and hybrid threats. He also highlighted the work of the recent consultative forum on international security policy. He spoke about how our focus on diplomacy, peacekeeping and international development can contribute to European and international security.

He also had a series of bilateral meetings, including with King Abdullah Il of Jordan, the Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria, the UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, and a delegation from the Elders group led by former President Mary Robinson. Both in public events at the conference and in his bilateral meetings, there was widespread concern at the direction of developments, including Russia's war on Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, especially in Gaza, and prospects for global security in light of the large number of elections that will be held this year. At their meeting, the UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and Deputy Varadkar welcomed the restoration of the Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland.

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