TD calls for 'respectful debate' on Ireland's neutrality amid Higgins comments

President Michael D Higgins inspects the guard of honour during a ceremony at the GPO on O'Connell Street in Dublin to mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. File picture.

Independent TD and Former Member of the Defence Forces, Cathal Berry, has said that the debate on neutrality ignited by President Michael D Higgins needs to be "respectful" whilst we should always seek not to "polarise or demonise anybody."

President Higgins hit out at the composition of the panels at the Consultative Forum on International Security, saying they include "the admirals, the generals, the air force, the rest of it" as well as "the formerly neutral countries who are now joining Nato".