Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

It is important that annual reports are made because a persistent, if small, body of opinion argues at every meeting of the National Forum on Europe that we have sold out our neutrality and are becoming part of the US-led NATO complex, if not a member of the coalition of the willing. A sober appraisal of the facts demonstrates the clear desirability of participation in various international tasks, including peacekeeping. Opportunities should be provided to debate any controversies that arise because an attitude of wilful paranoia is far too widely held. The Minister has to continuously battle against misrepresentations of this country's policies, which are laudable and overwhelmingly supported by the public.