David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I think Deputy Cronin has covered most of what I wanted to ask. It reminds me of some old soldiers I met a long time ago who had gone out to Congo and to Jadotville, of all places, in the 1960s. They were extraordinarily badly equipped. The uniforms were made of bull's wool and were up to the neck. They had heavy boots, old Lee-Enfield rifles and Bren guns, and armoured cars you could shoot through. Generally speaking, they were very badly equipped. Since then and with our involvement with the United Nations, what I have learned from my dealings with the military here is that it has learned so much, because every time it goes to Lebanon and interacts with other militaries abroad, it learns. Our troops nowadays are highly trained, generally very well equipped, know what they are doing and are very professional. It is a big change from the 1960s when we were isolated and had no interaction with anyone else. Our troops were laughed at when they went to Congo that time, because they were so badly equipped. They had Second World War stuff which was totally obsolete.

I would be in favour of any form of co-operation. As was said, we can learn from others. We can learn what is best practice. From reading this and listening to the Tánaiste, that is what is going on. We are picking up best practice and learning how to use equipment, including what the best equipment to use is. Even if we were fully staffed, we would still be a minnow in the overall scheme of things. It is important that we co-operate and learn.

I have one question for the Tánaiste on critical seabed infrastructure protection. He says that, for the first time, the latest national risk assessment for Ireland identifies damage to undersea infrastructure as a key national level risk. He also asked a question about what goes on outside the 12-mile limit, which is also important. Will the Minister expand on what he means by it being a key national level risk, please?