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

Deputy Kenny spoke about the militarisation of Europe and that he does not want to be involved in any imperial war. We are not going to be involved in any imperial war. We need a dose of reality in this House. We are not a military power and we are nowhere near being a military power. This is about peacekeeping and the methodology by which we can participate in peacekeeping. At the moment, Russia can veto participation by Ireland in a peacekeeping mission. There is a moral and ethical question here. Are we serious if we think a power like Russia can do this? By the way, it is the imperial power on the Continent of Europe. It has invaded a sovereign country that wanted to live in a democracy and it has visited the most appalling brutality in that country through the conduct of its military campaign. Some people in the House seem to be okay that a country and power such as this can veto our participation in peacekeeping. This is the reality. We know what it has done with the Wagner Group all over the world, including in Africa. That seems to be fine.

The European Union has no colonies. I do not see the European Union as an imperialist power. Deputy Kenny may, but this is one more of the false narratives that keep getting discussed in this debate. We get into this unreal surreal world where people speak about the militarisation of Europe and Ireland as if somehow we will assume massive military powers and resources in the next year or two and we will be out fighting everybody. That is not going to happen. That is not in the world of reality. Where we have distinguished ourselves is in peacekeeping, including in large operations such as UNIFIL UNDOF and in Chad in times past, where we were essential in ensuring that humanitarian aid got through. This was one of the biggest struggles we had on the UN Security Council. It is important that Deputies take note of this. They may say "nearly" but it is important to observe this. If every battle to maintain a humanitarian corridor, for example to northern Syria where Ireland was instrumental on the UN Security Council, and keep that corridor open-----

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