Tom Clonan (Independent)

I will not take up the full three minutes but at least I have some idea.

All these issues around defence, security and intelligence are coming together. We are not in a position to generate intelligence meaningfully. An Garda Síochána is the primary intelligence agency in the State. It does not have the resources, national technical means, signals, etc. It just does not have them to proactively generate intelligence. All these things together are bringing forward a very profound question around defence and security.

Also, on the political horizon, we have a united Ireland. It is coming, ready or not and irrespective of what anybody has to say about it, it is going to happen in the next ten to 15 years. We need, therefore, to have a proper debate in this Chamber about how we prepare for that. In any all-island settlement, we are going to have to redesign public expenditure and reform, social protection, education and health, but we are also going to have to fundamentally redesign policing, the administration of justice, defence, intelligence and security. I do not believe that Óglaigh na hÉireann and An Garda Síochána will exist in 15 years' time. They will have been replaced by something like "Police Service Ireland" or "Defence Forces Ireland". Who knows?These conversations have to take place. It is suggested that we are going to have legislation put through this House before Christmas to abolish the triple lock. It is all part of the same conversation. I am asking that we have a proper, calm and rational debate, like the statements on migration last night, about neutrality and what the future is for defence on this island.