Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I suppose it would be wrong for youngish bachelors in the House to respond to Senator Terry's question about virginity.

I thank everybody who has contributed to this very interesting debate. On all sides of the House there was an acknowledgement that in bringing forward this motion for discussion the Fine Gael Party was being courageous. More importantly, however, we are doing a public service because the issue of Irish neutrality in the context of a changing Europe needs to be addressed in a serious fashion. If we were here until Christmas or Christmas twelve months, we would not reach a conclusion on the question of what is Irish neutrality. We heard a dictionary definition from Senator Minihan and were then offered variations of that theme. Senator Mansergh has made the point that our neutrality is something that can be defined and of which we should be justifiably proud. Senator O'Toole asked what Irish neutrality was and whether it existed – unfortunately, I cannot answer that question to any substantive degree.