Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the rationale for electing to hold a national forum on neutrality over a citizens' assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18767/23]
View answer154. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence who will be invited to attend, as participants, the national forum on neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18768/23]
View answer155. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when invitations to participate in the national forum on neutrality will be issued; the way in which they will be issued; the selection criteria to be applied in relation to participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18769/23]
View answer156. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence who will speak at the national forum events; the selection criteria to be applied in relation to speakers; when the programme of speakers will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18770/23]
View answer157. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what outcome is envisaged following the national forum on neutrality, that is, a Dáil Éireann debate, Dáil Éireann motion, referendum or other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18771/23]
View answer158. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what has prompted the decision to hold public debates on neutrality, that is, new polling, or some other indication of a shift in public opinion regarding neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18772/23]
View answer159. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence who was consulted prior to the decision to hold public debates on neutrality, for example, security experts, think tanks, the European Commission, the Defence Forces, Defence Forces representative organisations, or any other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18773/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 159, inclusive, together.
Against the background of the changed geopolitical context and wider threat environment in Europe, which calls for consideration of the State’s approach international security issues, a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will be convened with a view to initiating an open and evidence-based discussion on the State’s foreign and security policy.
The Consultative Forum will take place in three different locations across four days in June 2023 - on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway, and on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle and will be chaired by Louise Richardson DBE (formerly Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews).
Attendance at the Forum will consist of invited guests, from Ireland and internationally, with expertise and practical experience in the areas to be discussed. There will also be space reserved for attendance by the general public. 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 in the coming weeks.
The Forum will be a broad discussion, looking at such issues 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 CSDP, as well as our existing relationship with NATO through the Partnership for Peace.
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 Tánaiste will consider the report of the Chair once it has been produced and will decide whether to take recommendations to government.
