Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the light of ongoing geopolitical tensions, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the genocide occurring across Palestine, the role of our neutrality has never been more scrutinised. Ireland has long taken pride in its policy of military neutrality, a stance that has allowed us to play a respected role in peacekeeping, diplomacy and humanitarian efforts, and I thank all those who have done this in the past. However, neutrality is not an ideology frozen in time. It must be continuously assessed to ensure it serves the best interests of the Irish people and the wider international community. On 26 February, I asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he considered any changes to the triple-lock mechanism, which currently requires UN Security Council approval alongside Government and Dáil approval for deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas and whether any of these proposed changes, are solely intended to ensure that future peacekeeping missions are not hindered by a geopolitical deadlock at the UN, whether potential reforms to the triple lock are being considered to enhance operational flexibility while maintaining Ireland's neutrality and adherence to international law. At the same time, we must be clear that a national dialogue on this issue is essential. This is not a debate that should be confined to the halls of Leinster House; it belongs to the Irish people whose understanding of neutrality has evolved with modern global threats, from cyberwarfare to the hybrid attacks on infrastructure.

We cannot talk about defence policy without talking about how we treat our Defence Forces personnel. I thank those who have served and who continue to serve Ireland with pride. This brings me to the urgent case of Cadet Matthew Scully. Cadet Scully is set to graduate on 28 March with the 100th cadet class having completed 18 months of intensive training. He ranks in the top ten in his class, excelling across the modules and yet, at the last moment, just four weeks before he was due to be commissioned, he was told that he would not be allowed graduate due to a suspected medical condition, one that the Army had known about for a full year. Since then, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces personally signed a derogation letter in support of Cadet Scully highlighting his outstanding ability and fitness to serve. However, the Department of Defence has rejected this, overruling the expert judgment of the Army's own leadership. This is not how we are supposed to treat those who dedicate their lives to the Defence Forces. I ask the Tánaiste to look at this case and show that those who serve this country are treated with respect. We must not create barriers to prevent qualified, dedicated individuals from commissioning. I ask the Tánaiste to look at this case and review it.

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