Dáil debates
Thursday, 18 September 2025
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions
Defence Forces
2:35 am
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
The Deputy was late to my initial remark. I am very happy to have a conversation with Deputies Murphy, Gibney and Ó Laoghaire about how we can strengthen within the legislation references to the UN Charter. I even have some ideas I am happy to discuss with them about how we can oversight mechanisms in making sure anything our peacekeepers go on is consistent with the UN Charter. That is 100%. I value the UN. The UN is a force for good. We value multilaterialism at a time when it is under attack. What I am not going to do is just sit here and suggest that we are going to just allow this to continue until Putin or anybody else changes their mind and says, "Let us reform the UN Security Council". It is doing a disservice to the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann, many of whom I can tell Deputies - and Deputies ask if I speak to them - are absolutely gutted that their peacekeeping mission to Lebanon has been ended, many of which they have served on and their mothers or fathers served on previously. That is coming to an end because of the dysfunctionality of a structure the Deputy wants me to continue with. I am not going to do it.
On democracy and mandate and all that, we had a general election. We very clear in my party's manifesto, as was Fianna Fáil, around-----
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