The National Consultative Forum on International Security Policy was a public forum convened by the Government of Ireland in meetings in three cities, Cork, Galway and Dublin, to discuss matters of international security including cyber security, the "triple lock", the United Nations and relations with NATO.
| Consultative Forum on International Security Policy | |
|---|---|
 Louise Richardson DBE, chair of the Forum | |
| Dates | 22 June 2023 |
| Ends | 25 June 2023 |
| Frequency | one-off |
| Venue |
|
| Country | Republic of Ireland |
| Founder | Department of Defence |
| Area | Civil and military defence, security and international relations experts |
| Patron(s) | Tánaiste Mícheál Martin |
Programme
editThe forum was to discuss various topics, such as cyber security,[1][2] Irish neutrality,[3] disarmament,[3] humanitarianism[3] peacekeeping and crisis management.[3]
The forum was planned to be hosted in University College Cork, University of Galway and Dublin Castle.[4]
Speakers and moderators
editPolitical scientist Louise Richardson was asked to chair the consultative forum.[5] [6]
- Renata Dwan
- Brigid Laffan
- Neil Melvin
- Réiseal Ní Chéilleachair
- Suzanne Lynch
- Patricia Lewis
- Kate Fearon
- Gary Murphy
- Robert McArdle
- Chris Johnson
- Brigadier-General Sean White
- Caitríona Heinl
- Brendan Flynn
- Robert McCabe
- Christian Bueger
- Shane Ryan
- Edward Burke
- Kieran Brennan
- Ray Murphy
- Declan Power
- Roger Mac Ginty
- Brigadier-General David Dignam
- Michael Beary
- Fiona Nic Dhonnacha
- Roger Cole
- Michael Kennedy
- Conor Gallagher
- Lokesh Joshi
- Rory Montgomery
- Rory Finegan
- Maura O'Sullivan
- Kenneth McDonagh
- James H. Mackey
- Dag Nylander
- Joachim Adler
- Laurent Goetschel
- Matti Pesu
- Magnus Christiansson
- Hanna Ojanen
- Sergey Utkin
- Adam Eberhardt
- Sinéad O'Carroll
- Viktorija Rusinaite
- Art O'Leary
- Michèle Griffin
Controversy
editComments by the President of Ireland on Louise Richardson's DBE in an interview with the Business Post, led to President Higgins apologising for any offence caused.[7] The President had criticised the huge number of military personnel involved in the forum, and cautioned against Ireland "drifting" into NATO.[8]
Opposition politicians criticised the pro-NATO, pro-military nature of the invited participants.[9] Each of the venues were affected by protests.[10][11][12][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Sherlock, Cillian (22 June 2023). "Security forum hears risks of quantum computing and threats to energy companies". BreakingNews.ie.
- ^ O'Riordan, Sean (23 June 2023). "'Ireland has to co-operate to counter cyberattacks' – Forum". Irish Examiner.
- ^ a b c d Mellitt, Katie (20 June 2023). "Everything you need to know about the Consultative Forum on neutrality". BreakingNews.ie.
- ^ "Consultative Forum on International Security Policy". Gov.ie. 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Consultative Forum Programme". Gov.ie. 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Moderators and Speakers" (PDF). Gov.ie.
- ^ McGee, Harry; Paul, Mark (19 June 2023). "President Michael D Higgins apologises to Prof Louise Richardson for 'throwaway remark'". The Irish Times.
- ^ Whyte, Barry J. (17 June 2023). "Michael D Higgins exclusive: Ireland is 'playing with fire' in 'dangerous drift' towards Nato". Business Post.
- ^ a b Cunningham, Paul (26 June 2023). "Protest under way in opposition to security forum". RTE.ie.
- ^ Loughlin, Elaine (22 June 2023). "Martin hits out at 'incoherent' protesters who were removed during forum speech in Cork". IrishExaminer.com.
- ^ O'Keeffe, Donal (22 June 2023). "Gardaí remove protesters after Tánaiste is heckled at security forum in Cork". EchoLive.ie.
- ^ "Irish Examiner view: A contrast in how protests are dealt with". IrishExaminer.com. 23 June 2023.
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