Publication
Consultative Forum: Frequently raised topics
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Consultative Forum was designed to build public understanding and generate discussions on our foreign, security, and defence policies.
It focused 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.
The Forum also provided an opportunity to examine the experiences and choices of other partners in responding to the new security environment in Europe.
It was open, inclusive, and, as the name suggests, consultative. It involved a wide range of stakeholders, with participation from civilian and military experts and practitioners representing a breadth of experience and views.
The Consultative Forum was a broad discussion, rather than focusing on the binary issue of neutrality. It looked at Ireland’s work to protect the rules-based international order, through our engagement in peacekeeping, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and arms control and disarmament.
It looked at new and emerging threats, including cyber, hybrid, disinformation and threats to critical infrastructure.
The Forum examined our current and future engagement in EU CSDP, as well as our existing relationship with NATO through the Partnership for Peace. There were no predetermined or preconceived outcomes from the discussion.
The Chair of the Consultative Forum, Louise Richardson DBE, is responsible for the production of a report, which the Tánaiste will bring to Government and publish once received. The report will be based on the discussions at the Consultative Forum, and submissions from the public made through the consultation process.
The Terms of Reference are a set of guidelines agreed by the government and the Oireachtas before the Consultative Forum commences. They provide a framework that defines the programme of work for the Consultative Forum.