Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

The co-operation will continue. We are a militarily neutral country. We are not joining NATO but we talk to it and we want our military to be able to operate to NATO standards and to have equipment worthy of a modern army. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go ndéanfaimid é sin agus go bhfuilimid ar an eolas go bhfuil bagairtí amuigh ansin ag teacht ó thíortha ar nós na Rúise agus áiteanna eile. Tá na bagairtí seo ag tarlú gach uile lá ar fud na Mór-Roinne agus ar fud na farraige in aice leis an Mór-Roinn. What the Senator said about co-operation is important. I note that the EU-UK co-operation and common understanding agreement, which was concluded yesterday, contains reference to co-operation on maritime security, including cables and other aspects of maritime policy, which is positive. It is not a question of not being neutral or joining military organisations. It is simply a question of working together to protect our independence. That is what we must do. The purpose of our military is to defend and secure this country and its citizens.