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Terms of Reference: Consultative Forum on International Security Policy June 2023
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The changed geopolitical context and wider threat environment in Europe calls for consideration of the State’s approach to international security issues. Against this backdrop, the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., will convene a national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy (‘Consultative Forum’) to initiate an open, informed, respectful and evidence-based discussion on the State’s foreign and security policy.
The Consultative Forum is designed to build public understanding and generate discussions on the link between the State’s foreign, security, and defence policies. It aims to build a deeper level of understanding of the threats faced by the State, including in areas such as cyber, hybrid and the maritime domain, and to examine the security policy options available, and the implications of these choices, for Ireland. The Consultative Forum will consider, inter alia:
i. The current international security environment, including threats to the State and Ireland’s current security and defence capabilities;
ii. Ireland’s multilateral engagement on security and defence issues, including through our partnerships with the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO);
iii. Ireland’s role in protecting the rules-based international order; including experience in peacekeeping, approach to the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (EU CSDP), and our engagement on international law and accountability;
iv. Strategic stability including nuclear arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation; and new and emerging threats including cyber, hybrid and critical infrastructure; and
v. Ireland’s policy position of military neutrality and an exploration of definitions, options, and implications of the policy of neutrality.
The Forum is scheduled to take place in three different locations across four days in June 2023, namely; on Thursday 22 June at University College Cork, on Friday 23 June at University of Galway, on Monday and Tuesday 26-27 June at Dublin Castle. It will involve a wide range of stakeholders, with participation from civilian and military experts and practitioners.
Attendance at the Forum will consist of invited guests, including from overseas, with expertise in the areas to be discussed, as well as spaces reserved for attendance by the general public. There will also be an opportunity to attend virtually and to make online/written submissions.
Engagement with higher level institutes and think tanks will take place to encourage their independent engagement on the issues for discussion.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Defence, will work alongside the Chairperson, on planning and delivering the Forum and associated events. This shall be a whole of Government initiative with all departments, agencies and bodies being consulted and engaged in the process. The Oireachtas will be kept informed and involved throughout, through the relevant Committee.
An independent Chairperson shall be nominated by the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, with due consideration to the experience and expertise required to execute the main functions as outlined below:
i. Chairing of the Consultative Forum and attendance at related meetings as required.
ii. Production of a report of the Consultative Forum, to be delivered to the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, in a timely manner following the conclusion of the Consultative Forum.
iii. Collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Defence in the preparation and execution of the Consultative Forum.
The work of the Chairperson will begin once nominated by the Tánaiste. An inception meeting will be held to brief the Chairperson and communicate the expectations of the appointment. An honorarium will be paid to the Chairperson at a per diem rate sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, NDP Delivery and Reform.
The report will be presented to the Tánaiste in a timely manner. It is expected that this report will include an overview of the Consultative Forum and public submissions received in relation to same. The Tánaiste will consider the report produced by the Chairperson, and will decide whether to bring recommendations to Government.