Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I will ask the Leader later for an update on when the legislation on e-scooters will come back to this House, but this morning I want to focus on neutrality because I will not get an opportunity to speak on tonight's Private Member's motion. I doubt that I am the only person who has found the constant questioning of our neutrality over recent years very worrying. It has escalated dramatically since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The invasion seems to be being used, mainly by Fine Gael Ministers, as leverage in promoting the watering down of our neutrality. That is simply unacceptable. Fine Gael's most recent narrative questioning our neutrality has been ongoing since April when the Minister, Deputy Coveney, predicted that the Russian invasion would likely bring about a shift in attitude towards neutrality in this island nation. Only last weekend, a motion at the Fine Gael Ard-Fheis calling for the abandonment of the existing triple-lock system, again supported by the Minister, passed overwhelmingly. As we know, this system requires approval by the Government and the Dáil along with a UN resolution mandating the mission if 12 or more members of the Irish Defence Forces are to be deployed.

The reality is that we are now seeing an underhand attempt, particularly by the Fine Gael Party, to undermine protections put in place to preserve Irish neutrality. This cannot be allowed to happen. Let us recall how, earlier this year, despite the many articles suddenly appearing in our media questioning our neutrality, an IPSOS poll in April found that an overwhelming two thirds of respondents supported the retention of Ireland's current model of military neutrality. The Irish people are very proud of our neutrality and of the fact that it allows us to be honest brokers in negotiations on the international stage. When this war in Ukraine finally comes to an end, if it retains its neutrality, Ireland will be in a unique position to be an honest broker. The message is clear. Our neutrality is sacrosanct and no whispers, hints, winks, nudges or subliminal messages from Fine Gael will change that. The citizens of this State are proud of our neutrality and are quite clear where we stand on it.