Written answers
Thursday, 18 May 2023
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Departmental Bodies
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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183. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 4 May 2023, the national processes to which he refers by which the Chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy was appointed; the number of other persons who were considered in appointing a Chair to the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy; and who made the final the decision to appoint a person (details supplied) to the role of Chair. [23944/23]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In my capacity as Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, I have responsibility for appointing the independent Chairperson of the Consultative Forum.
As Deputies will be aware, Louise Richardson DBE, the highly respected former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, has kindly agreed to take on this important role. Ms. Richardson is a distinguished political scientist with a strong expertise in security policy in her own right. I am grateful to her for taking on this task.
Ms. Richardson has been appointed with due consideration to the experience and expertise required to execute the main functions of Chair. The appointment of Ms. Richardson was taken in-line with other national processes such as the Citizens’ Assembly, Commission on the Defence Forces and others.
I am confident that Ms. Richardson will play a hugely positive role in chairing and overseeing the discussions.
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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184. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of stakeholders that will take part in the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy; when details of the speakers and participants will be made public in advance of the forum; where a list of such stakeholders can be viewed by members of the public; the number of spaces that are reserved for members of the public to attend the forum in-person; the way in which public participation will be publicised; if he will consider running a media campaign through broadcast, print and online media to inform members of the public of their right to participate in the forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23945/23]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Attendance at the Forum will consist of invited experts and practitioners, from Ireland and internationally, with expertise in the areas to be discussed. Space will be reserved for members of the public to attend the forum in-person, along with representative groups to ensure equality and plurality of voice. All discussions will be live-streamed and there will be an option for online submissions. Anyone interested in engaging in the process will be able to do so.
Full details of the arrangements for registration, live-streaming and the making of submissions will be published by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence and on the Government website “Gov.ie” before the end of this month.
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