Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach is deliberately choosing to ignore that the central thrust of the point at the heart of the G8 gathering is immense hypocrisy. It begs the question as to whose interests he wants to defend and how he sees himself. Is it not the case that the reputation of Ireland would be far better served by developing an independent foreign policy, one that was not reliant on bending the knee to US imperialism at every turn? The Taoiseach would make a better contribution to society if he were to do so. The point I am trying to make to him is that last week his Government signed a global arms trade treaty, yet he has systematically chosen not to undertake his right to investigate the military aircraft which routinely land on these shores. A total of 450 US military aircraft landed at Shannon Airport last year. The Tánaiste tells us the people concerned are not involved in military exercises, nor are they carrying weapons. This begs the question, first, as to how the Government knows this because it has not inspected the aircraft and, second, as to whether it is not peculiar that a great number of them must be going on holiday wearing military uniforms. The Taoiseach is choosing to stand over a situation where at every turn he is supporting US imperialism and the global capitalist powers to the detriment of a majority of the world's population. In the light of our history of enduring hunger and famine orchestrated from other countries, the G8 is discussing food policies which will result in hunger in many parts of the world. This is a concern which has provoked outrage all over the world. The Taoiseach may be aware that one hour ago 100 riot police stormed a meeting in London to discuss organising a protest to coincide with the G8 gathering. Is that the legacy and the reputation he would like for Ireland? Would it not be preferable if he took an independent stance on behalf of a neutral country?

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