Press release
Consultative Forum on International Security Policy – Day Two, University of Galway
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Consultative Forum on International Policy continued on Friday at the University of Galway. Day two began with a conversation between the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin and the Forum Chair Louise Richardson.
During the discussion, the Tánaiste said:
"Ireland has a strong track record in peacekeeping and peace building. As a small country, we are generous and active internationally. We are also strong supporters of the rules based international order and the rule of law. But the global political and security environment is changing and this brings fresh challenges to this work."
The first panel discussed Ireland as a global actor and lessons learned from Ireland’s membership of the UN Security Council. Subjects discussed include humanitarian and peacekeeping issues on the Council, including Ireland’s work on Syria, Ethiopia, and Climate and Security, and the opportunities and obstacles faced, including the use of the veto.
The second panel examined UN peacekeeping and the “Triple Lock”. The panel discussed trends and developments in UN and regionally led peacekeeping and explored the issue of the Triple Lock.
The third session addressed conflict resolution, peacebuilding, international law and accountability. The panel discussed Ireland’s work on upholding and promoting international law and a rules-based international order in an increasingly complex geo-political environment
The final session looked at Irish research and innovation in security and defence. The panel discussed Ireland’s partnerships at EU level and how the Irish research and enterprise sector interact with EU funding and research mechanisms. The panel also examined policy frameworks and whether Irish industry is well-positioned to avail of the opportunities.
The Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will focus on a wide range of issues, including Ireland’s efforts to protect the rules-based international order through peacekeeping and crisis management, disarmament and non-proliferation, international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention and peacebuilding as well as allowing for a discussion on Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
It will look at our current international partnerships in the area of peace and security, particularly as a member of the UN and the EU, as well as with our engagement with NATO through the Partnership for Peace framework.
New and emerging threats will also be discussed, including cyber and hybrid attacks, the use of disinformation and growing concerns over the protection of critical offshore infrastructure.
The Forum will also provide an opportunity to examine the experiences and choices of other partners in responding to the new security environment in Europe.
The Independent Chair of the Forum is Louise Richardson DBE, President of the Carnegie Corporation and former vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Ms. Richardson is a political scientist with particular expertise in security policy.
Ms. Richardson will produce a report that will be presented to the Tánaiste in a timely manner following the conclusion of the Consultative Forum.
A livestream of each event, along with the daily programme is available on www.gov.ie/consultativeforum.
The public consultation will remain open until 7 July 2023 and is available on the government’s open consultation platform.