Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, add my voice to those who have spoken on the Taoiseach, Deputy Leo Varadkar's resignation today. I will leave the media to decide what kind of Taoiseach he was. For me, he was a sensitive and shy man who was nice to meet and have a word with. I wish him well wherever he goes from here.

We are all aware of the drugs somebody tried to land off the south-west coast of this country last weekend. I understand drug barons are now using submarines to export drugs to Europe. The back door of Europe is Ireland and where was our navy this weekend? It was in Dún Laoghaire having a little show for the public. The single ship we have at sea was moored in Dún Laoghaire for the public to walk around, while our south-west coast was vulnerable. A hugely important conversation is starting in Europe about the financing of defence. Why do I bring that up today? I do not believe there is anybody in this House who does not support Ukraine. However, within days of the war starting, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, declared that Ireland was not neutral in the case of the Ukrainian war. That was followed by the current Minister, Deputy Mícheál Martin, saying the same. Who gave them permission to say that? Did they bring their opinion into the Houses of the Oireachtas to debate the change in Government policy, or was it just a solo run? We talk all the time in this country about neutrality. We do not talk about Paddy neutrality. Paddy neutrality is where we declare we are neutral and depend on NATO to look after us. We see now what the disinvestment in defence and security in this country has caused. We are an open back door for thousands of tonnes of drugs to be imported into Europe. Let us cop ourselves on and get rid of Paddy neutrality and arm our Defence Forces properly.