Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Connolly. We should and do continue to champion the UN and champion reform of the UN. I fully agree with that. I am a huge believer in international law and the workings of the United Nations. At a time when that is under threat from others who are looking inwards and do not believe in multilateralism, we should be even louder in our promotion. I do not disagree on that. However, I also recognise the reality, as I am sure she does that UN Security Council reform is not exactly forthcoming from some of the permanent members of the UN Security Council.

In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I have been very clear and have given specific examples on the record in his House as to where I would have liked to see Irish troops being able to assist in various missions that are in line with military neutrality but they could not because of the current reality. I put them on the record of the House. He can go back and scrutinise them and check them out. Those are the examples. I have a longer list I can provide to him as well.

I have also been very clear on our position on Ukraine. We will have a debate on Ukraine immediately after these parliamentary questions. Everybody from President Zelenskyy down knows the support and solidarity that the Irish Government and the people of Ireland have provided to Ukraine. Others can have their position on Ukraine. Ireland and the European Union have our position. I spent Sunday and Monday with European foreign ministers, working extraordinarily hard to make sure we backed in a unified way the UN resolution on Ukraine and we did. We deviated from the US and we proudly deviated in standing up for our values and not amendments or resolutions that did not recognise Russia as the aggressor and the importance of the UN Charter.

We would be having a really interesting debate in this House if there was a conversation about what should be contained in the legislation to amend the triple lock. I find it underwhelming and disappointing that at a time when I am giving real examples of real challenges that have been faced by the men and women of the Defence Forces, the Deputy is not saying, "Let's tease through these."

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