The Government is facing criticism as it gets ready to discuss Irish neutrality at Consultative Forums this week. President Michael D Higgins has accused it of a "drift" in its foreign policy and says Ireland must avoid burying itself in other people's agendas.
He has been interviewed by the Business Post ahead of the forums in Dublin, Cork and Galway. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon is backing the President's stance. "The Irish State, since its foundation, has always been neutral but it has never been indifferent.
"I think the President captured those sentiments very well. I think he is speaking very much on behalf of the Irish people; four out of five Irish people value our position on neutrality, they want to see it protected.
"There has been rhetoric coming from particular view points in politics that I don't think are reflective of the Irish people," he added.
