Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)

This is where Ireland can actually contribute. Ireland can contribute in helping out European leaders on peace. It is an unjust peace that is being proposed in Ukraine. Of course we want peace, but if Ireland had been more active in championing peace and pushing Europe to take the lead on peace, maybe we would be looking at a more just deal that fully respects the UN Charter and makes sure Ukraine has sovereignty over its resources in the future, which will be so important, and that there are talks about Resolution 1325 and the role of women in peace. This is where Ireland can be something different.

On this narrative of cyber attacks, let us be clear. Where Ireland can step for the European Union and for our colleagues is by actually being strong regulators in the online space. The idea seems to be we need to get involved with defence programmes for cyber attacks when we have seen in the United States that the attacks on democracy came in broad daylight through unregulated tech firms that had led and led a clear agenda of division. Clearly, Ireland should be stepping up through our civilian powers that we have in terms of European law rather than playing the cyber card.

Lastly, in terms of neutrality I will quote the following, "Neutrality is a policy issue that can change at any time." That was from Micheál Martin. Of course, we want to have our legal protection and for Ireland to play that role at the UN and be that bridge for Europe to the United Nations. We have credibility that can strengthen the United Nations. If we throw that away-----