Joe Conway (Independent)

Is aoibhinn liom an tAire Stáit a fheiceáil arís agus é anseo in ionad an Tánaiste agus Aire Cosanta ag déileáil leis an Ní i dTosach Suíonna inniu, rud atá an-tábhachtach dúinn sa Teach seo agus sa tír.

Since my election to this House, I have frequently made contributions urging our Government to seriously address our practical and moral responsibility for the protection of our treasured democratic way of life in Europe. It must be clear to all in this House and in the country at large that this is incrementally under threat from what might euphemistically be called "bad actors". The vicious and illegal invasion of Ukraine is a living example of this. Other sovereign states in Europe, for example, Moldova and Georgia, are in Putin's crosshairs as we speak. Many of our European Union partners are being systematically and surreptitiously destabilised by the dark and underhand dealings and machinations of these so-called bad actors. It was with levity in my heart that I read last Saturday morning in The Irish Times that we are to sign up to Security Action for Europe, SAFE, displaying at last a recognition of European realpolitik and its ancillary need to bolster our defences. I hope the Minister of State, in the absence of the Minister, will be able to outline the measures I have no doubt make this an initiative that will augment our risible measures for defence at the moment. They add up to about 0.25% of our spending.

Only last week we witnessed a NATO commitment of 5% budget provisions for defence in the years ahead. Such a commitment is not easy for any state but, for a state like ours, starting from such a low base, it is a big ask. Such a provision is our best defence because deterrence is the best defence. We know from our history that bad actors are opportunistic. They will not engage with an opponent likely to defeat them. The 1930s showed the opportunism and brinksmanship of Hitler as he ramrodded his way across Europe through states that were ill-defended and war-weary after the Great War.Many of us in this country will know the expression "Tadhg an dá thaobh", which implies somebody who tries to serve both sides. I am sure the Minister of State is aware of it. The phrase reflects a position manifested in a country upholding its liberal stance but not taking the pains to defend it.

I ask our Government to set to work, in very close with co-operation with NATO, to engender a grown-up, fit-for-purpose unemotional debate on neutrality. If we do not, as I have said in this House before, a lack of defence will mean we are walking in our sleep down a road to doom.