On behalf of the Independents 4 Change group, I express our sympathies to the people of Turkey after the horrific terrorist attack at Istanbul airport last night.

This week's European Council summit has been dominated by the fallout from the Brexit vote, but very important issues were also being discussed, which I believe also contributed to the vote result in the UK for many people, and that is the ongoing militarisation of the European Union, something it seems the Government is happy to participate in despite that the majority of Irish people, when asked, support the protection of our neutrality in our Constitution, but then the Government would not dare ask them officially because it would not get the answer it would like.

The Council has not only been attended by the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, but the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, to receive the European global strategy on foreign and security policy from the High Representative, Federica Mogherini. The strategy states that Europeans must be better equipped, trained and organised to act autonomously if and when necessary.

It goes on to say that we must develop the capacity for a rapid response including by tackling the procedural, financial and political obstacles which prevent the deployment of the battle groups, hamper fourth generation and reduce the effectiveness of military operations. According to Ms Mogherini, defence co-operation must become the norm within Europe. The document stops short of the creation of a European army, but says the EU should systematically encourage defence co-operation and strive to create a solid European defence industry.

This document comes very quickly after NATO played war games in Poland, modelling an attack on Russia which even included potential nuclear strikes according to some reports. It is intended that in the coming days the President of the European Council and NATO will sign a pact in Warsaw at the weekend. That is a pact he will be signing on our behalf. How will the Government protect our neutrality as the majority of the Irish people want? Did the Taoiseach remain at the European Council meeting while it met with the Secretary General of NATO and, if so, why?

The first thing to say on the broader issue of Brexit is that the discussions in Brussels are ongoing and the European Council is the appropriate place to deal with all of the issues which are arising for the whole of Europe and which have particular relevance for Ireland given our very close relationship with the UK. There will be statements in the House next week on the outcome of the European Council. There is a long way to go and many issues are on the table. Clearly, the position of the Government has been to say the United Kingdom needs space before it can be expected to formally begin the process.

As far as our approach to neutrality is concerned, there has been no change in the view of the Government. We remain committed to the triple lock process on any engagement of our Defence Forces. That remains absolutely in place. We have already made clear our commitment as a Government to the Partnership for Peace and engagement around that. Our armed forces have a very proud tradition of engaging in peacekeeping internationally and we intend to continue that. Our troops are currently in a number of countries where they continue that tradition. The intention is to continue to do that and to continue to uphold that tradition in this country. That is the approach of the Government and nothing has changed. Brexit does not change that as far as the Government is concerned. We remain committed to the situation as I have outlined it as far as neutrality is concerned.

Unfortunately, the Tánaiste did not address the question in regard to whether the Taoiseach participated in the European Council in the presence of the Secretary General of NATO. That is key for a so-called neutral country. The Tánaiste reiterated the Government's response that the triple lock mechanism governs our participation in any military exercise. The previous Government watered down the triple lock through the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 to the extent that a senior diplomatic official has been quoted as saying that at this stage all that is needed for Ireland to enter into a war is a benediction from the UN . That is the strength the triple lock system has at this stage. As far as I am aware, the invasion of Afghanistan did not have a UN mandate. It was mandated by the UN Security Council, which is dominated by the Americans, the French and the British. It was not sanctioned by the total body of the UN itself. The question, which the Tánaiste might answer with one word, is whether the Taoiseach participated in the European Council with the Secretary General of NATO or if he removed himself for that part of the discussion.

Regardless of who attended or did not attend a particular meeting, the situation is as I have outlined it to the Deputy. Clearly, Government, Dáil and UN resolution approval are required before we can be involved in any particular initiative. That remains the case. It has not changed. The legislation to which the Deputy referred did not change it. The triple lock remains in place and we continue to participate primarily in Partnership for Peace and the peacekeeping efforts being made internationally. Our Defence Forces will continue to be engaged in peacekeeping based on the precedents for every engagement we have had to date and where the triple lock has been the basis for our approach.

It continues to characterise it irrespective of who attends what meetings. That is the clear position of the Irish Government on neutrality. I do not have the details of who attended at that but the key issue at stake here is the approach of the Government to neutrality, and that has not changed.