A National Forum on Ireland's international security policy will be held in June, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin has said.
The consultative forum is set to start a broad discussion on the State's foreign and security policy in meetings that will take place in Cork, Galway and Dublin across four days in June.
Given the fundamental change in the security situation in Europe as a result of the war in Ukraine, the Government wants to take a closer look at the threats facing the State.
It includes threats at sea as well as dealing with things such as cyber-attacks.
The discussions will hear from security experts, academics and the public and they will take place against the backdrop of increased investment in the Defence Forces.
The forum will be based on the principles of a Citizen's Assembly model and will examine security policy options and what any changes would mean for Ireland's neutrality.
An independent chairperson will later compile a report on the outcome of the forum, which could form the basis of recommendations to Government.
Speaking at a Government press conference after cabinet, Mr Martin said the forum is not just on "the binary issue of neutrality", but instead will examine "a broad spectrum" of issues.
He said among the issues to be discussed will be the "evolution" of threats to Ireland, cyber security, and "triple lock issues".
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The triple lock reference relates to Ireland's constitutional rule that any participation in an international action must be agreed by the Dáil, the cabinet, and the President of the day before it is agreed.
Addressing concerns the forum could result in changes to Ireland's neutrality, Mr Martin said he is fully aware people have different perspectives on the issue.
He said the forum will have "no pre-conceived ideas" and will allow for submissions from members of the public and differing perspectives, and that it is "important we have this debate".
Mr Martin will also seek Government and Dáil approval to deploy a naval vessel as part of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy 'Operation Irini'.
The deployment would be for a period of almost seven weeks during June and July.
The vessels main task would be to prevent arms trafficking into Libya.
It would also aim to stop illicit petrol exports from Libya, train the Libyan coast guard and navy, and to disrupt human trafficking networks.
Some 23 EU member States contribute to Operation Irini and the Defence Forces currently have three personnel deployed at its operational headquarters in Rome.
Between 2015 and 2018, the Naval Service contributed ships to two missions in the Mediterranean.
Operation Pontus ran from 2015 to 2017, while Operation Sophia's humanitarian search and rescue operations officially closed on 31 March 2020.
The deployment is subject to a valid UN Security Council resolution being in place at the time.
Consumer protections
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has sought Cabinet approval to strengthen the consumer protections for customers of financial service providers who have left the Irish market.
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill will ensure consumers will be able to make a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) against a financial service provider if that provider was regulated at the time the alleged wrongdoing took place.
Minister McGrath informed Cabinet of the critical need to remove any uncertainty in this area and to ensure that all customers enjoy the same consumer protections whether the provider continues to operate in the market or not.
The issue is of greater importance given the exit of KBC and Ulster Bank from the Irish market.
Solar
The zero VAT rate for the supply and installation of solar panels for private dwellings will come into effect on 1 May.
Mr McGrath secured agreement at cabinet this morning to introduce the measure by means of financial resolution in advance of the Finance Bill being passed in to law.
This will minimise any disruption in the market from an extended lead-in period for the measure, the Cabinet was told.
Judges
Minister for Justice Simon Harris asked Government to change existing legislation to increase the number of judges across the courts by 21.
The Report of the Judicial Planning Working Group recommended an increase in the number of judges, to allow greater access to justice, to support plans to establish a planning and environmental court and dedicated family courts, and to clear Covid-19 backlogs.
It proposed that an increased allocation of resources should be phased in, with the initial phase allowing for a total of 24 judges across the District Court (8), Circuit Court (8), High Court (6) and the Court of Appeal (2).
