Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----the repatriation of downed Royal Air Force pilots. Our neutrality is a complex thing. There is so much emotion invested in it but it is very important. Churchill and De Valera agreed a plan, namely, Plan W, which provided that in the event of a German invasion involving those two army groups, the British and Irish armies would unite and form a front west to east, from Galway to Dublin, and advance south to contact to push the Germans out. That would have had horrific consequences for the country and we are thankful it never happened. There are moments in our co-operation when we can agree to act collectively without compromising our military neutrality.

I do not believe that Óglaigh na hÉireann, or An Garda Síochána for that matter, will exist in 15 or 20 years time. Whether we like it or not, and whether we are ready or not, we are heading at considerable speed towards an all-island entity, whatever that might be. Whatever it is, the administration of justice, intelligence, defence and security has to be acceptable to all communities. For example, we have to tease out Northern Ireland's membership of NATO and consider what will be acceptable to an all-island entity, whatever that might be. A first step in that direction is the investment the Minister is making in the Defence Forces. We cannot rely on the British Army, the RUC or anybody else to deal with what lies ahead. This time, it will be us who will have to deal with it. We need to have a frank and open discussion about that and prepare for it.

With all the global destabilisation and the febrile nature of international relations at the moment, now is not the time to join any military alliance, whether for altruistic reasons or utilitarian reasons. One could do a cost-benefit analysis in that regard.It would not benefit this country or our people. I thank the Minister for being here and for facilitating the debate. I also thank all those who contributed. It was a collegial enterprise and exchange of light. I welcome Sinn Féin's promise if and when in government, no pressure, to visit a constitutional-----