First, I thank Deputy Stanley for bringing forward this timely and important motion to allow us to say what we want in Dáil Éireann regarding neutrality. It is most important that we retain our neutrality and the triple lock. If the Government wants to change it, by all means it should put it to the people of Ireland. It should put it to the country. There is nothing to be afraid of. At all times, the people of Ireland have given their opinions on the different referendums put before them and we in this Chamber duly had to recognise the voice of the people. That is what we have waited for here. Back in 2013, then Deputy Micheál Martin - he is now our Taoiseach - suggested we could not or would not get rid of the triple lock. The only difference between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael at that time was that Fine Gael was apparently in favour of getting rid of the triple lock and Fianna Fáil was not. If Fianna Fáil wants to change that, it means the two parties will more or less unite and be one party because there will be no difference between them, in my eyes anyway. De Valera stood up to Churchill in during the Second World War. As a young fella I listened to his speech. England had oppressed us for more than 800 years and he told Churchill where to go. De Valera was not taking his dictation when he was asked to forgo neutrality and get involved in the war and open the ports for England. I and many people will forever thank de Valera for that stance, for standing up to the powers of the world at the time and holding our neutrality. I thank our peacekeeping forces for all the work they have done in different conflicts across-----

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-----the world. I certainly do not want to see a European army we are part of.

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