Defence

Tánaiste ‘worried’ about lack of debate on college campuses following security forum protest

Micheál Martin says third level students should listen to multiple viewpoints in a debate

Tánaiste Micheál Martin: “What worries me about protests of this kind is that many third-level institutions are now shying away from debate because they’re afraid of this kind of thing”. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he is “worried” about third-level institutions not facilitating debates over fear of disruption on campuses.

His comments came after the first day of the Government’s Consultative Forum on International Security Policy at University College Cork was disrupted by protest.

Speaking to reporters during a break in proceedings, Martin said: “To me, the very purpose of being a student is to be open to different views and different perspectives, but have that ...