The Chair of the Government's Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, Prof Louise Richardson, has said she is absolutely delighted to take on the role because of "the critical importance of issues which are at stake".
In a video message posted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, she added it was also "highly unusual" for a Government to want to involve the entire country in a discussion on its role in the world.
Prof Richardson, who is originally from Waterford, said the international security environment has "radically changed" in recent years.
She added the Russian invasion of Ukraine had caused countries across Europe to revaluate their foreign and security policies in light of what she called "the new reality".
She appealed to the public to register with the department to attend the meetings in person, to view the sessions online as well as submit their views.
Prof Richardson did not reference the recent apology made by President Michael D Higgins, after he questioned her qualifications for the job.
She is a former vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, who was awarded her PhD from Harvard, which focused on terrorism and counterterrorism, and then lectured there on the topic for 20 years.
What is the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy?
