Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Neutrality transcends mere non-involvement or detachment. It embodies a proactive stance in fostering human rights and liberty, shielding individuals from tyranny, championing peace and contributing to UN peacekeeping missions in regions such as Lebanon, the Congo, Chad and South Sudan. I pay a very strong word of thanks to the people who have worked in our Defence Forces over the years, whether at home or abroad. They have gone out and served our country with distinction. Some of them have very sadly lost their lives. There are families who will be looking at this and remembering their loved ones who put on a uniform, left here and came home after sadly losing their lives in the interest and in the voice of peace and of trying to save other people's lives and their way of life. We have to acknowledge that here today.

For decades, Ireland's neutrality has facilitated a positive global influence and I am convinced this principle merits incorporation into the Irish Constitution and EU treaties, rather than being eroded as it is under the current Administration. It is right to highlight the wrongs of the Government and to say that what it is trying to do is a further display of its detachment. A couple of months ago, the Government told everybody that they should take the mother out of the Constitution and vote "Yes". It was not only the Government, but Sinn Féin, Labour and everybody in here said it, except a small number of people, including the people on this side of the House. We said "No" and that the people were saying "No" to what the Government wanted. When the votes were counted, who was right? It was not the Members over there; it was the people on the ground who said "No". They were not going to be dictated to by Government. No government or person has a monopoly on being right but people in Ireland today are standing up for what they believe in and will not be dictated to by Government or anybody waving their finger and telling them they must vote in such a way.

When it comes to our neutrality, if the Government is going to tinker with it and is thinking of diluting the stance we have taken over the years, it should give the people of Ireland a say and have a referendum on it. I have no doubt in my mind what the people would say. They would say the system we have and what we have been doing is right, and that is the road we should continue to go down.

I recall times when the Army was needed by the State and it was always ready to stand with the people and work on their behalf. It is in no way right Army remuneration should be insufficient. I think of great people who left Kerry, even in recent times; for instance, the Quinn family from Blackwater, whose son went off in the peacekeeping missions. I thank those families for sending their young people abroad on all our behalf.

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