Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé ag iarraidh an Bille seo a chur faoi bháid na Dála. Táimse agus an Teachta Seán Crowe ag iarrraidh déanamh cinnte de go bhfuil neodracht na hÉireann iniata sa Bhunreacht sa chaoi is nach bhfuil aon dabht dlíthiúil ann maidir le stádas na tíre seo nó maidir leis an míleatú leanúnach atá ag tarlú san Aontas Eorpach le tacaíocht ó urlabhraithe sa tír seo agus leantóirí eile.

This Bill we are seeking to introduce is to enhance Irish neutrality, ensuring that the State would strictly adhere to a policy of non-membership of military alliances, including the likes of the Partnership for Peace and the EU battle groups. It will empower Irish citizens by giving them the opportunity to reaffirm the State's neutrality in a referendum at a time of increased EU military expansionism. We urge all Members to support this Bill and move away from implementing the policies that for years have eroded the State's neutrality and have allowed foreign military to use and exploit Shannon Airport, in particular, as a stopover to and from conflict zones in contravention to our supposed neutral status.

This legislation seeks to put a proposition to the people that they vote in a referendum to greatly strengthen Ireland's status as a neutral country by amending the Constitution to ensure the State would be prevented from aiding any foreign powers in preparation for a war unless it had the assent of the Dáil.

This is an opportunity and we should allow the people to have their say on this issue. I hope the parties in this House will assent to this legislation when it comes before them on Second, Committee and Report Stages and allow the people have their full say in this matter.

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