Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will do my best to be quick. It is fair to say at this stage that the conversations that are happening at a European level on security and defence are in the provisional and preliminary space. By that I mean we are yet to see proposals tabled. There are a lot of views, particularly from countries in eastern Europe, which are much closer to the front line in terms of Russian aggression, on how Europe should deal with its security and defence. Ireland should never recuse itself from those conversations. We live in Europe and we are of Europe. The security, defence and well-being of this country matters to me. It is the greatest obligation of any government to keep its people safe.

As discussions develop, we will have two main concerns. First, everything we participate in will have to be consistent with our military neutrality. Second, the question of how these initiatives are funded will be a really important discussion. The idea of changing the mandate of the European Investment Bank is interesting in and of itself. However, if the pot for the bank is still the same, what will that mean for the work on climate and digital transition? I am happy to keep the House updated as those discussions progress.

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