Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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192. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will establish a citizens' assembly on security in all aspects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23898/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Consultation Forum on International Security Policy will take place in three different locations over four days at the end of June - on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway, and on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle. Louise Richardson, DBE, has been appointed as Chair. The Forum will draw on the principles underlying the Citizens’ Assembly model but will be an open discussion which any member of the public can access or participate in.

The Forum will be a broad discussion, examining issues such as Ireland’s work to protect the rules-based international order, through our engagement in peacekeeping, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and arms control and disarmament. It will look at new and emerging threats, including cyber, hybrid, disinformation and threats to critical infrastructure. The Forum will also examine our current and future engagement in EU Common Security and Defence Policy, as well as our existing relationship with NATO through the Partnership for Peace.

Attendance at the Forum will consist of invited guests, from Ireland and internationally, with expertise and practical experience in the areas to be discussed. I anticipate that those attending will also include various NGOs and, very importantly, members of the general public, for whom spaces will be reserved.

Discussions will be live-streamed and there will be an option for online submissions. The objective of the Forum is to initiate an open and evidence-based discussion on the State’s foreign and security policy. Anyone interested in engaging in the process will be able to do so.

Full details of the programme over the four days, the arrangements for registration, live-streaming and the making of submissions will be published by the Departments of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs in the coming weeks.

Importantly, there are no predetermined or preconceived outcomes from discussions at the Forum and participants will be free to raise any relevant issues during deliberations. The Chair’s report will outline what transpired over the four days but will not include recommendations. Once it has been presented to me, I will consider its findings and decide whether to make recommendations to Government.

In view of the valuable role which the Forum will play and the breadth of issues which it is intended to discuss, the Government does not propose to establish a Citizens' Assembly at this time.