Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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18. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on his attendance ad the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. [30625/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 18 together.

With a growing focus on security and defence issues across Europe and at national level, Iconvened a national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy in June. This was the first time the State has ever embarked on a national conversation on security and defence issues in this manner.

The aim of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for discussion on the current global and European security environment, the security threats facing Ireland and the policy options to address these.

We had a broad discussion over a four day period, looking in particular at Ireland’s work to protect the UN system and the rules-based international order, our current and future engagement in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), our relationship with NATO through the Partnership for Peace, and new and emerging threats in the areas of cyber and hybrid attacks, the use of disinformation and the protection of critical offshore infrastructure. There was also opportunity to examine the experiences and choices of other partners in responding to the new security environment in Europe.

The Forum took place over four days in Cork, Galway and Dublin, with 80 panellists and moderators and approximately 1,000 attendees in person. All discussions were live-streamed, with over 10,000 online viewers. In addition, over 850 written submissions were received through the public consultation process.

One of my key aims in convening this Forum was to ensure that discussions on Ireland's security policy are well-informed and are based on facts and evidence. All the individuals who spoke brought different perspectives, different lived experiences and expertise and different policy approaches.

Throughout my participation over the four days, I was heartened to hear of the pride that so many feel in our record of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, diplomacy, and sustainable development work. That work will continue to be a fundamental part of our foreign and security policy, as demonstrated by Ireland’s leadership role just last week in securing a political declaration at the UN, recommitting all 193 UN member states to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Chair of the Consultative Forum, Louise Richardson DBE, is responsible for the production of a report, which I expect to receive, bring to Government and publish in the coming weeks. Her report will be an important contribution to this national conversation and I look forward to receiving it.

I would encourage everyone with an interest in Ireland's foreign and security policy to take the opportunity to listen back to the discussions at the Forum over the four days. The recordings of all of the sessions can be accessed on www.gov.ie.The proceedings of the Forum provide a rich, nuanced and diverse range of perspectives on the challenges facing Ireland in the current global security environment and the variety of policy options we have to address these.