Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agreed to an interview with NATO Review on 21 March this year. The question I was asked regarding Ireland's neutrality was how important it is for a militarily neutral country like Ireland to be in partnership with an organisation like NATO. In response to this question I referred to the fact that although we are a neutral country, our traditional stance on neutrality bears no relevance to the fight against terrorism or cyber security issues which are real threats for Ireland and the European Union today. In relation to the issue of neutrality, Ireland's policy of military neutrality is defined by non-participation in a military alliance or mutual-defence arrangements.

Ireland's military neutrality is particular to its own unique history and geopolitical position and is not affected by participation in Partnership for Peace. Ireland's membership of Partnership for Peace since 1999 is consistent with our traditional foreign policy approach and objectives such as the protection of human rights, support for development and arms control measures and our overall security policy, including non-membership of military alliances.

There is no mutual defence commitment involved and the partnership provides a voluntary framework for security co-operation. The principles of the Partnership for Peace are anchored in the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe charters, and are consistent with Ireland's foreign policy goals, particularly the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

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