Published on 

Tánaiste launches Public Consultation on International Security Policy

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD has opened the public consultation and launched the registration process for the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy.

 

The public consultation will remain open until 7 July 2023 and is available on the Government’s open consultation platform www.gov.ie/consultations.

 

Those who wish to attend the Forum in person are invited to register their interest on www.gov.ie/consultativeforum.

 

The Tánaiste said:

 

“I have convened the Consultative Forum to build public understanding and generate discussions on our foreign, security and defence policies. I want this discussion to be as open, inclusive and consultative as possible.

 

“Today, I am inviting all members of the public to get involved, by making a submission to the public consultation and/or by registering to attend.

 

“Submissions to the Forum can be made on the Government’s open consultation platform www.gov.ie/consultations  until 7 July 2023.

 

“Members of the public are also invited to visit www.gov.ie/consultativeforum where you can register your interest in attending the Forum in-person at any of the three locations across the four days.  In addition to members of the public, the Forum will also involve a wide range of stakeholders, as well as participation from civilian and defence experts and practitioners representing a range of experience and views.”

 

The Consultative Forum will take place in three different locations across four days in June 2023:

  • 22 June at University College Cork
  • 23 June at the University of Galway
  • 26 and 27 June at Dublin Castle

 

The proceedings of the Forum will be livestreamed each day and can be accessed on www.gov.ie/consultativeforum. 

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.

 

ENDS

Press Office

31 May 2023

 

NOTES TO EDITOR

  • 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.