The Minister knows precisely the point I am making.

My voters do not tut-tut young people.

It is a rigged debate.

It is a stacked debate.

The Minister asked me to reflect on my comments so I would like to clarify -----

My supporters do not tut-tut young people.

The European state of the climate report states that 16,365 people died in Europe last year as a result of meteorological, hydrological and climate-related hazards and that a further 156,000 people were adversely affected in a direct way by these hazards. Meanwhile, every EU country is expected to submit a draft energy plan by 30 June, which is in nine days. We are told Ireland will miss the deadline. It is not the first deadline the Government has missed on these issues. It hardly inspires confidence that the envi…

That is some spin.

I voice my strong support for workers in the Iceland supermarket at Coolock, Dublin, who are sitting in this lunchtime to defend jobs. I also voice my strong support for all Iceland workers, many of whom found themselves locked out this morning following four months of total and disgraceful mismanagement by the new owners, who are arguably the biggest cowboys since the days of John Wayne and the Wild West. The company was in the High Court yesterday to be placed in interim examinership and 344 jobs are at stake acr…

It is a class issue.

The European Political Community strongly supports the increased militarisation of the Continent. Last year, global arms expenditure hit its highest-ever level. It would seem the Government is encouraging Irish companies to jump aboard this arms expenditure trade. The former Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, said last year that: "even though the perception is that Ireland does not have a defence industry, actually, in terms of the contribution that many Irish companies make in regard to dual-use goods, we have …

I note the fact that it has taken two and a half years for the investigation into the killing of George Nkencho to get to the point where a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. I am pleased that a file has been sent to the DPP. Mr. Nkencho's family feel a sense of relief about the fact that has happened. However, I will register the point that two and a half years was far too long a wait for a family who had to deal with the grief and trauma of the killing of their son and brother. I expr…

Three corporate sponsors have withdrawn funding from Cork Pride this year and there are fears that others may follow suit. Up to €140,000 in funding could be lost. A successful Pride is important in any year but it is more important than ever this year given the increase in physical attacks on LGBTQI+ people and the campaign to ban LGBTQI+ books in our libraries. The stated reason for the withdrawal of funding is straightforward economic pressure but in the US, corporations have been cutting back on LGBTQI+ friendl…

I would like to ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to give us a report on his preparations for the upcoming consultative forum on international security policy. He might indicate whether he will advocate a change to the State's foreign policy. Will he make a statement on these matters?

A wide range of speakers, yes; a wide range of viewpoints, I do not think so. I have the speaker list here. Let us go through it. It includes Andrew Cottey, NATO research fellow, Chris Johnson, fellowship in the US Air Force, Caitríona Heinl, who has advised NATO, and Christian Bueger, who has worked for the US Department of State and trained members of the Singapore Navy. Singapore was a dictatorship the last time I checked. John O'Brennan has raised joining NATO. James Mackey is director of security policy and pa…

Because I do not think the perspectives are very different.

Give me a few more names.

The Tánaiste can rant and rave all he likes. The point is this. He mentioned Roger Cole, who is with the Peace and Neutrality Alliance. A representative of one NGO has been chosen to speak. I challenge the Tánaiste to name one, two or three people from the long list he has in front of him who will present an alternative point of view in a broad sense.

Alternative to the agenda that the Tánaiste is promoting of militarisation, increased military co-operation, and edging the society towards closer co-operation with NATO. The list of names the Tánaiste spoke of is more groupthink than a debate in Irish society or a real forum. He has picked the judge, jury and overwhelmingly pro-NATO witnesses. It would seem that members of the public have the right to ask questions but not really to speak, address and engage at the forum. I will conclude by saying that I welcome t…

The Tánaiste has not got them at this forum. Where are they?