Earlier today, my colleagues and I participated in the formal launch of the Irish Neutrality League, which is a civil society campaign to bring pressure to bear on the Government to assert Ireland's neutrality positively on the world stage and to be a voice for peace and human rights. The league also wants the copper-fastening of neutrality enshrined in the Constitution. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, referred earlier to reflection. Has he reflected on the proposals from the Irish Neutrality League and is he prepared to sign its statement? We have quite a number of people already and it is an ongoing campaign. I understand the Government is absolutely behind our neutrality and I do not see why it cannot sign up to the Irish Neutrality League.

I would be careful about committing to a change to the Constitution, upon which we should reflect. I do not disagree with the sentiment or intention of the Irish Neutrality League but I would be very slow to sign up to it. We have learned in this House that when it comes to constitutional reform, it is always best to think, first, what is the question and then what is the answer and the wording. That is not something that is easily or quickly done. Something I believe in and am proud of is that our seat on the UN Security Council has been used in a way to respect and recommit to our neutrality. The approach we have taken to this war in Europe whereby, unlike many other European countries, we have not provided weapons directly to Ukraine was an important test of our neutrality and military non-alignment. We are not neutral on the issue that is at stake, which is the freedom of the Ukrainian people to have their own jurisdiction and sovereignty. However, in terms of our status as a small island nation and our place in the world, I agree with the Deputy that our position is one of being non-aligned militarily and neutral in that sense. I very much commit to that continuing.