Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Carlow-Kilkenny · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“There is nothing any of us in this House can say that can undo the pain, harm and loss experienced by those young boys, their families and the communities in which they lived, played basketball and worked. They have had to endure a lifetime of harm, many of them carrying their suffering in silence.”
“We are listening to you, we are learning and we are acting. All of us in this House have a responsibility to ensure that our child safeguarding systems are robust. We must ensure that if concerns are raised today, they are acted on without delay.”
“Today is a profoundly important and solemn day. I want to add my voice to the full and formal State apology and to acknowledge the courage, dignity and perseverance of those survivors who fought for truth and accountability for so many years.”
“I thank the Deputy for highlighting this very important issue and the 161 recommendations. First, I thank the Joint Committee on Drug Use for its work. I welcomed the report and I am in agreement with many of its recommendations. As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year I published a draft of the national drugs strategy.”
“The Bill and the secondary legislation, training and clinical protocols that will follow it will support the terms and conditions for this service, as laid out in the community pharmacy agreement. All secondary legislation will be in place before commencement and launch of this measure.”
“No. I thank the Deputy again for her work on the drugs committee. The vast majority of the 161 recommendations will be in the new drugs strategy but one of the recommendations was on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. It falls under section 3. That legalises drugs. It is important we tell the people of the concern.”
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“I thank the two Senators for raising this serious issue today. As Senators know, I will be taking this behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare disease affecting fewer than 200 people in Ireland. The Minister spoke at Muscular Dystrophy Ireland’s national conference in December 2025 and met the families of children with DMD two weeks ago. The State acknowledges the importance of access to medicines. This Government is committed to providing timely access to new and innovative medicines and has made considerable investments in recent years, with annual expenditure on medicines now almost €4 billion. This represents nearly €1 in every €8 of public funding being spent on health.”
“I thank the staff and representative bodies for their continued engagement. The opening of the new CNU in Killarney is an absolute priority for the Department of Health and the HSE. I am working with the Ministers and committed to ensuring residents can move into their new home without delay.”
“I thank the Deputy for highlighting this matter. The opening at the end of June is a priority for him. I reiterate the older persons' service in Killarney and surrounding areas will be enhanced by the opening of the new state-of-the-art, 130-bed community nursing units. The new CNU in Killarney is part of the overall CNU programme, which will deliver seven public private partnership, PPP, projects and provide a complement of 130 beds, of which 50 will be long-stay beds, 30 will be dementia-specific beds and 50 will be short-stay beds. The HSE is engaging with HIQA on a small number of outstanding issues and expects the new Killarney community nursing unit to be open before the end of June. It is waiting on HIQA registration. I welcome the ongoing engagement taking place again tomorrow. I hope the outstanding issues can be resolved.”
“HSE South West will continue to engage with residents, their families, staff and the wider community on all updates about the opening of the new Killarney community nursing unit. The opening of the new unit is an absolute priority for me, the Minister and Ministers of State and the Department of Health. I have no doubt this state-of-the-art CNU will enhance the lives of older people in Killarney and surrounding areas for many years to come by providing the highest quality health and social care services. I look forward to seeing it officially opened. I am sure the Deputy will be at the opening. He is right that this is important. It is about everybody working together to get the unit opened.”
“I am aware - this is what the Deputy spoke about - that the INMO served notice of industrial action last Friday in relation to staffing levels at the newly built Killarney community nursing unit. The HSE has advised there has been active dialogue by way of weekly meetings with unions over the last two months. The HSE advised that much has been agreed and some further engagements regarding staff rosters are in the final stages. The HSE is, therefore, in the final stages of this process and there has been a lot of communication. The HSE will meet the INMO again tomorrow. The HSE hopes an agreement can be reached on the remaining outstanding issues at this meeting. I thank the staff and representative bodies for their continued engagement. We know the excellent work they do.”
“The Deputy is right that this is about opening these units, which are critical. Once HIQA registration is granted, the HSE will set a date and move forward with the transfer of residents from St. Columbanus's Community Hospital and the district hospital to the new building. HSE South West has assured the Minister there is ongoing engagement with residents and their families ahead of the transfer, so there has been a lot of engagement. All current staff from both St. Columbanus's Community Hospital and Killarney Community Hospital will transfer to the new facility. I have been advised by the HSE that the recruitment campaigns are under way for the additional staff required to extend occupancy to the full 130-bed capacity.”
“The public private partnership, PPP, aspect of the CNU programme continues to progress and will deliver 528 beds in seven facilities across the country. The new CNU in Killarney is part of the PPP project and will have 130 beds, with, as the Deputy said, 50 long-stay beds, 30 dementia-specific beds and 50-short stay beds. The CNU will provide a high-quality living environment which will be in line with all regulatory requirements. The HSE advised me it expects the new Killarney community nursing unit to open before the end of June. The HSE is still saying that. This only came to me yesterday. The opening is dependent on registration approval from HIQA, so the Deputy is right that this is what the HSE is waiting on. The HSE is engaging with HIQA regarding a small number of outstanding issues.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for older people and housing, Deputy O'Donnell. Long-term residential care is a crucial part of our healthcare system. Across the country, our HSE community nursing units, CNUs, and community hospitals play a vital role in the provision of long-term care and other services. The Government is committed to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure which supports the highest quality care for our older people. This investment includes the community nursing unit capital programme, which was launched to ensure up to 90 of our public community nursing units and community hospitals would be refurbished or replaced to ensure the best-quality environments for our older people.”
“The plan will also progress national cancer infrastructure planning for oncology day wards, inpatient oncology, cancer diagnostics and outreach and community service delivery consistent with Sláintecare and the national cancer strategy. I again thank the Deputy for highlighting this matter. I will definitely go back to the Minister. As the Deputy said, timely care is so important. I assure him the Government is committed to that.”
“To address future radiotherapy equipment replacement, the Department of Health and the HSE are developing a strategic infrastructure programme to plan for the replacement and expansion of radiotherapy equipment at public radiation oncology facilities. Engagement between the Department and relevant stakeholders will begin this week to advance this work. I assure the Deputy this will happen and I will definitely keep him updated, as that is important. Under the current strategic plan, direct investment of €120 million has been made in state-of-the-art radiation oncology centres in Cork and Galway to address radiotherapy equipment needs. A key strategic priority under the Department's health sectoral plan for 2026 to 2030 is the continued investment in cancer care, including radiation oncology.”
“I thank Deputy Burke. As he said, this is a serious issue. I know the Government is committed and I will certainly bring it back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. Ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates and timely access to treatment are priorities for the Government. Access to state-of-the-art and fit-for-purpose facilities and equipment is fundamental to the safe and timely delivery of such care. Deputy Burke is right that timely delivery is so important. He spoke about the machines that have broken down. As I have previously set out, a replacement programme for radiation therapy equipment is under way across St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin, funded under the HSE's capital plan for 2026. The replacement programme will conclude in 2030.”
“A key strategic priority under the sectoral plan is continued investment in cancer care, including radiation oncology. I welcome this opportunity to discuss equipment replacement and expansion. The Government recognises the importance of the timely replacement of equipment as its effectiveness decreases.”
“As such, the replacement of this equipment in the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin is a priority. The majority of radiation oncology services in Ireland met or exceeded the KPI targets across 2025, with the exception of the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network which performed below target across the year. As I have previously stated, an equipment replacement programme is in place to address this issue. In November 2025, the Department of Health's sectoral plan for 2026 to 2030 was launched under the national development plan. The sectoral plan sets out infrastructure investment priorities for the next five years, building on a strong track record of delivery to support the provision of equitable, accessible and high-quality healthcare across Ireland.”
“To progress this strategic initiative, formal engagement between the Department and relevant stakeholders is scheduled to begin on 12 June 2026, which is in two days' time. Centralised planning for this programme and subsequent oversight in its implementation will enable cost-effective procurement and efficient delivery of enabling works. The programme will also align with the national cancer strategy and Sláintecare, supporting sustainable, high-quality radiotherapy services nationwide. As advised by the HSE, replacement of equipment takes into account not only age but also performance linked to use and ongoing maintenance regimes - end of life and end of support, as designed by the manufacturer - and the availability of spare parts. This is a critical consideration in replacing radiation oncology equipment.”
“Expansion and equipment replacement programmes are progressing across Ireland's public radiation oncology network. Deputy Burke spoke about the phased expansion that is under way. This is at Beaumont Hospital, where formal tender documents have already been issued to advance the project. A dedicated equipment replacement programme is also active across the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network to upgrade essential linear accelerators. On a national scale, the Department of Health and the HSE are actively developing a strategic infrastructure programme to systematically plan for the future replacement and expansion of radiation therapy equipment at all public facilities.”
“I thank Deputy Burke for raising this very important issue. The Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention and maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates and timely access to treatments. The availability of appropriate, fit-for-purpose facilities and equipment is critical to the safe and timely delivery of cancer care. Since the launch of the national cancer strategy in 2017, the Government has allocated €105 million to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. Under the national cancer strategy and the recommendations of the national plan for radiation oncology, two state-of-the-art radiation oncology centres have opened in Cork and Galway, in 2019 and 2023 respectively, representing a €120 million capital investment.”
“With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi-annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care where they need it. The progress is seeing the implementation of the plan together with the roll-out of the model of care. Therefore, there is work being done but the Senator should absolutely send me on the details. Again, I thank her for highlighting this important issue.”
“These improvements have been achieved against the backdrop of increased demand for planned care services. Addressing this increased demand while also working to sustainably reduce waiting times will require the health service to deliver more services. We have to consider productivity, efficiency, ongoing reform and enabling supports through targeted additional capacity. The waiting time action plan sets out six targets that will be achieved through the delivery of 36 actions under the scheme of reforming planned care, enabling planned care and capacity optimisation.”
“Again, I thank the Senator. She can be sure I will be speaking to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. She is very committed to funding the services and working in this regard. It is acknowledged that patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden this places on patients and their families. In January this year, the Minister for Health published the 2026 waiting time action plan as part of the Government's ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and reducing waiting times for patients. Since the commencement of the multi-annual action plan approach in September 2021, significant progress has been made in reducing the length of time patients are waiting, and this is really important for us.”
“The model will cater for people with all neurological conditions and deliver on the Sláintecare principle of delivering care closest to patients' homes. The model will include one model 4 hospital hub per health region, catering for the most complex neurological care. The sites will support model 3 hospital spoke sites, which will provide services for people with less complex needs. Many hospitals already have well-developed services. Funding received in 2025 is enabling the delivery of phase 1 of the hub-and-spokes model. It is expected that this proposed hub-and-spokes model will enable a reduction in waiting lists and timely access to diagnosis and treatment and, thus, improve quality of life and prognosis for people with neurological symptoms. I thank the Senator.”
“This service development is to progress the implementation of the HSE model of care for neurology. The focus of the neurology initiative is aimed at achieving improved access to appropriate neurology services, and the Senator spoke about the lady she knows in that regard; improved safety and quality in the delivery of patient-centred neurological care; and improved value for both patient and health services across neurology services. More broadly, the national clinical programme for neurology is actively working on a hub-and-spoke model to guide equitable neurology services around the country. Therefore, the Minister is working on this. The services will align with the new health regions and tackle the gaps in neurology services nationally. We know the gaps exist and this is something we have to work on.”
“We have made significant investments as well as committing to further measures in the programme for Government. The Minister for Health allocated €4.3 million in 2025 to support the implementation of the neurology model of care and the hub-and-spokes model for neurology services. I am sure the Senator is aware of that. This funding is enabling the recruitment of five consultant neurologists and 25 specialist nursing posts. Those posts are specific to this area. The funding is also enabling the development of the deep brain stimulation, DBS, service at the Mater hospital in Dublin, which was allocated 1.5 posts. The DBS is an effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. As of April 2026, approximately 78% of the posts have been recruited. We need to do more. The Minister is committed.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I understand from looking at the waiting lists. The Senator might send me the information and I will see what I can do, if that is okay. I again thank the Senator for raising the matter. In Europe, neurological disorders are the third leading cause of death and disability. The numbers are expected to rise in line with our ageing population. In Ireland, approximately one in six people has a neurological condition. The Department of Health is committed to working with all relevant stakeholders, including the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, the HSE and the patients' representatives, to strengthen key services and supports. That is really important, going forward.”
“The Senator can be assured that either my office or that of the Minister will come back to the Senator with an update on the progress going forward.”
“I assure the Senator that the Government has a steadfast commitment to improve public health. As mentioned, the programme for Government sets out a commitment to place a focus on exercise and well-being as a preventative and rehabilitation measure and to examine ways to support the provision of community-based clinical exercise programmes. It is also recognised that future health services require new approaches. The Senator is right that we need to review this. This needs to be reviewed. I will definitely be going back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, in this regard. I was going to read the statement but it basically says the same thing. We need to get this review done. As I said, the Minister will have a meeting. That is important.”
“It also sets out to examine ways to support the provision of community-based clinical exercise programmes nationwide. Work is under way with the establishment of pathways in healthcare to direct people with chronic disease into physical activity programmes in the community as part of their treatment. In acute hospitals and primary care centres, the focus is on treating complexity and care is largely managed by physiotherapists. Many exercise and physical activity programmes are delivered outside of these settings. Contribution to these community-based exercise programmes may be from a range of professionals with expertise in physical activity, including athletic therapists. This is what the Senator was speaking about. The Minister has committed to a meeting with athletic therapists in the coming weeks. This is to have further engagement.”
“This initiative is designed to ensure appropriate and safe care. The latest available data, from February 2026, shows that since its commencement more than 5,000 people waiting over 39 weeks have been removed from primary care therapy waiting lists. The Sláintecare implementation strategy emphasises the importance of community-based care. One of its main objectives is to enable individuals to maintain their health and independence within their homes and communities. As the Senator will know, we are very much focused on primary care units and having units in everyone’s area. We are looking at them as much as possible. It is about the right care in the right place at the right time. The programme for Government sets out a priority to place greater focus on exercise and well-being as a preventative and rehabilitation measure.”
“As of April 2026, more than 170,000 patients have been seen in physiotherapy services. Approximately 91,000 patients were awaiting assessment by a physiotherapist at the end of April 2026. These patients identified for physiotherapy have a range of conditions and complexity. The Department of Health is working with the HSE on a focused programmatic approach to primary care therapy waiting lists, putting in place considerable standardised infrastructure to support systematic responses to primary care waiting lists. As part of this work, a waiting list initiative is under way to address physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy waiting lists and to reduce the waiting times for these therapies to less than 39 weeks. There is a concern with the waiting lists. I totally agree with the Senator in that regard.”
“In this context, Department officials attended the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy World Congress hosted by ARTI in October 2025. This included engagement with ARTI and representatives of the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators. The Senator said this is happening in London. Regarding HSE waiting lists and physiotherapy, physiotherapists complete training in musculoskeletal, neurological and respiratory conditions across health and social care settings. Primary care physiotherapy services for adults and children are delivered through community healthcare networks. In line with addressing more complex care in the community, the Minister has prioritised physiotherapy waiting lists. In 2025, more than 511,000 patients were seen in physiotherapy services.”
“I thank the Senator for highlighting this important issue. I saw the figure for Wexford of 4,400. That is a lot of people waiting. In my area of Carlow-Kilkenny there are 295 so I can see where the Senator is coming from. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. The Minister for Health is aware of athletic therapy as a profession and Department of Health officials have engaged with Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland, ARTI. Athletic therapists complete training in sports and injury rehabilitation. In line with workforce optimisation policy, the Department continues to focus on population health need and maximising the available workforce to meet that need safely.”
“The definitions of various alcohol products in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act are based on those in the 2003 Finance Act. Under that law, some alcohol products are defined at a different level of alcohol by volume. In that context, it may be that the restriction in the Bill to 0.5% may exclude some products. For these reasons, this Bill is being opposed but I acknowledge the Deputy’s concerns and look forward to the outcomes of the reviews. We are waiting on these and the Minister has requested the reviews. We are looking into it and I assure the Deputy that I will go back to the Minister with his concerns about the issues raised here today. I thank Deputy Rice for bringing the Bill to the House.”
“As I previously mentioned, section 13 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, which is not yet commenced, requires that advertisements for alcohol products must contain health warnings. Under this Private Members' Bill, advertisements for zero-alcohol products, which have none of the health risks associated with alcohol, would be required to have such health warnings. This could potentially mislead consumers about the risks of zero-alcohol products, as well as introduce the possibility of a legal challenge to section 13 on the grounds that advertisements for products with zero-alcohol content are required to carry such warnings. Finally, the Bill as drafted targets products with 0.5% alcohol by volume content or lower only.”
“They will also look at the health effects of zero-alcohol-labelled beverage consumption with a rapid umbrella review of review-level evidence. These reviews will be completed in quarter 3 of this year. It is important. I do understand the Deputy's concern. This is why it is important that we get these. The reports will identify the available evidence in Ireland on zero-alcohol products. Once these reviews are completed, the Minister will then consider whether additional evidence is needed, for example, evidence from other jurisdictions and evidence in relation to low-alcohol products. The purpose will be to determine the next best steps, based on evidence, in relation to these products and their promotion from a public health point of view. In addition, this Bill raises other concerns.”
“However, the single risk in relation to the promotion of zero-alcohol or low-alcohol products is that this promotion may also serve to indirectly promote alcohol products. To facilitate evidence-based decision-making on the relative benefits and harms of no-alcohol and low-alcohol products and on their promotion, the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has requested reviews of the evidence on two aspects of zero-alcohol products. This is to be carried out by a team in the University of Galway. The reviews will look at the marketing and branding exposure for zero-alcohol-labelled products in Ireland, and a rapid scoping review of advertising presence, regulatory context, and consumer perception.”
“The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 was introduced to reduce the health harms caused by the consumption of alcohol in Ireland. The settled scientific consensus is that alcohol consumption causes harms, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and seven types of cancer, and that alcohol advertising serves to increase consumption and therefore harm. Zero-alcohol products do not have the health risks associated with alcohol products, and low-alcohol products have lower risk relative to standard alcohol products. If there is a widespread substitution of zero-alcohol or low-alcohol products for alcohol products this will be of benefit at a population health level and will reduce harm. The advertising of these products in promoting their consumption potentially supports or increases this potential benefit.”
“This evidence was important and necessary to ensure that the Bill, and regulations under it, successfully exited the EU assessment process that applies to this law. The Bill before us today would amend the definition of advertising in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act to include advertisements for what it calls "alcohol-free" and "low-alcohol" products. This section also introduces a definition of these products, which includes that they have an alcohol by volume strength of 0.5% or lower. The Government is opposing this Bill on a number of grounds. The first and most important is that the evidence is insufficient to determine the public health benefits or harms of advertisements for zero-alcohol and low-alcohol products.”
“Under section 13 of the Act the Minister for Health can make regulations prescribing the form of the warnings and the duration of the warnings in a broadcast advertisement. Those regulations are currently being developed. Section 18 of the Act provides for restrictions on alcohol advertising in publications. This section cannot be commenced until section 13 comes into operation. This section will restrict the advertising space permitted for advertising alcohol products in a publication and ban advertisements in publications aimed particularly at children. This comprehensive range of measures was developed on the basis of the evidence of health harms from alcohol and on the basis of evidence that these measures would be effective in reducing that harm.”
“These timings were agreed in conjunction with the Department, and with the then Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, and they aim to capture the times when children watch television and listen to radio. The Act also provides for the separation and reduced visibility of alcohol products and advertising in shops. Section 13 of the Act has not yet been commenced. It provides that advertising for alcohol products must include three health warnings informing the public of the risks associated with alcohol, along with details of the alcohol public health website established by the HSE. I am taking this debate under the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill's brief, and I am working with the Minister under health and well-being.”
“This is why the Public Health (Alcohol) Act contains measures designed to reduce this effect. Advertisements for alcohol products are banned in certain places, including in local authority parks and playgrounds, on our buses and trains, and in or near schools and crèches. Advertisements for alcohol are also banned in a venue while a sports event is taking place and at events aimed particularly at children. Children’s clothing that is branded with an alcohol product, or which promotes alcohol consumption, cannot be manufactured for sale, sold, or imported for sale in the State. A broadcast watershed for alcohol advertising was also introduced so they are not allowed on television between the hours of 3 a.m to 9 p.m. Similarly, on radio they are banned between 3 p.m. and the following 10 a.m. on weekdays.”
“Harmful drinking rates are decreasing but remain high and are a concern. When it comes to our children, our 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs found positive trends compared to their previous 2019 survey. According to the 2024 survey, 66% of 15- and 16-year-olds surveyed had consumed alcohol in their lifetime, which was a decrease from 73%. The numbers reported as having ever been drunk and those reporting consuming alcohol in the last 30 days had also reduced. Although these are positive trends, we must continue to work to decrease these numbers and the risks to our young people. Research studies also show consistently that exposure to alcohol advertising is associated with an increased likelihood that children will start to drink or will drink greater quantities if they already do.”
“Alcohol consumption in Ireland in 2025 was an estimated 9.24 litres per capita . This reduced from 10.8 litres in 2019, which is significant and part of a larger decline in recent years. That said, we cannot be complacent because we have not yet reached the goal of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, which is to reduce consumption to 9.1 litres per person, based on the OECD average. We must also note that the Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 found that 29% of adults did not consume any alcohol in the previous 12 months. This means that our per capita estimate is likely to be underestimating the actual amount consumed by the 71% of the population that do drink alcohol. The 2025 Healthy Ireland survey also found that 26% of the population binge drink and 36% of our population drink alcohol at a harmful level.”
“It aims to: reduce alcohol consumption to 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per annum; delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people; reduce the harms caused by the misuse of alcohol; and regulate the supply and price of alcohol in order to minimise alcohol-related harm. These aims were developed because we recognise the harms to health that alcohol causes, as well as the significant costs to the public purse. Adults should be able to make informed choices about their drinking. Our children and young people must be protected, as they are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol. Since the enactment of our Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, the trends in alcohol consumption show that we are having success with these aims.”
“I want to acknowledge that the Deputy, in bringing this Bill before the House today, is motivated by public health concerns and reducing the impact of alcohol harms on our society. The Government shares that motivation. However, the Government is opposing this Private Members' Bill, which seeks to amend our Public Health (Alcohol) Act, because there is not enough evidence at this time to determine the impact of low- and no-alcohol products and their promotion through advertising. It is also being opposed on the grounds that the way the Bill has been drafted could lead to unintended consequences that may not be in the best interests of public health. I will now outline the objectives of our Public Health (Alcohol) Act.”
“It reaffirms our commitment to neutrality and multilateralism, makes clear that a referendum is neither necessary nor appropriate and underscores our determination to ensure that Ireland's foreign, security and defence policy is modern, effective and fit for purpose. In light of that, I call on the House to support the Government’s countermotion.”
“It underscores the importance of ensuring Irish military deployments are to missions that uphold the principles of the UN Charter and international law, in line with our policy of military neutrality, and that they are decided solely by the elected sovereign representatives of the people of Ireland. Ireland's security and defence policy will remain firmly grounded in military neutrality, complemented by our active and principled engagement within the European Union, the United Nations and other international forums. Our values and commitment to multilateralism, the rules-based international order and peace have not changed, but the global landscape has. We must be capable of adapting foreign and defence policy to meet these new realities. The Government's countermotion reflects that balance.”
“With regard to the next steps for proposed changes to the despatch of Defence Forces personnel overseas, a memorandum for Government seeking approval for the Bill will be brought to the Government shortly. Subject to that approval, the Bill will then be published and progressed through the Oireachtas. The Government's countermotion reiterates our support for Ireland’s long-standing policy of military neutrality and our commitment to multilateralism. It reaffirms that the Government does not believe a referendum on the matter is either necessary or appropriate. At the same time, it reflects our desire for a modern, fit-for-purpose foreign, security and defence policy, in keeping with the challenges we face today.”
“It is important to note that, under these legislative proposals, Ireland will make national decisions but, importantly, they will be in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Ireland has always taken an active approach to global challenges and made significant contributions to international peace and security. Partnership has always been at the heart of all our international engagement. We have always engaged constructively with our international partners in the UN and EU, and we are committed to continue to work closely with our fellow EU member states, through the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, to address the common challenges we face.”
“We need a mechanism where our elected representatives in the Government and the Dáil have the power to direct the dispatch of our Defence Forces overseas. The proposed changes to the legislation will continue to require Government and Dáil approval for the dispatch of the Defence Forces as part of an international force, such as the UN. If anything, a removal of the influence of an external organisation on Ireland's decision-making processes for dispatching military assets and personnel enhances our ability to make national and sovereign decisions on these key issues. Why would we wish to curtail our independent decision-making? Whose interests does that serve? This is not in any shape or form an attempt to disengage from the UN. Ireland remains firmly committed to the UN, the UN Charter and UN peacekeeping operations.”
“The impact of the threat of the veto on the work of the Security Council is more difficult to quantity but its influence on the council's deliberations is clear to any informed observer. The Government believes, therefore, that the legislation underpinning the overseas deployments of our Defence Forces needs to be amended to reflect the current realities in which we are living. This Government, as well as the previous Government, have been clear that we need a new process to replace the current system, which effectively allows permanent members of the Security Council to bind Ireland's hands in its international engagement. Conflict and insecurity are clearly evident and they are having a harrowing impact on communities across the world. Yet, no new UN peacekeeping or peace enforcement mission has been mandated since 2014.”
“With particular regard to UNIFIL, the uncertainty caused by the possibility of a veto over negotiations of an extension to that mission's mandate last summer created a situation in which Ireland had to prepare a contingency plan for immediate withdrawal of Defence Forces personnel in the event that the mandate was not extended. While the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate until the end of this year has allowed for the continued deployment of Irish personnel, the vulnerability remains. Recent years have seen a trend towards an increase in the use of the veto. The veto was exercised eight times in 2024 and four times in 2025. Indeed, 2024 saw the largest number of vetoed resolutions since 1986.”