Is neutrality still the right policy for Ireland? What the security forum heard

The Government hoped that the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy would prompt a national conversation on Ireland’s security and foreign policy.However, the nation was more than a little distracted by events in Montrose and the RTÉ secret pay deal scandal and the forum may have passed many people by. Not everyone; there were protests that brought attention to the forum in Dublin Castle and, even before it began, President Michael D Higgins caused controversy by his comments on the event.It was characterised in some sectors as a Government scheme to bounce Ireland into Nato, but according to Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher the forum was in fact a varied discussion on the international security landscape which included strong defences of Irish neutrality. He tells us the key takeaways. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.