Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tairgim:

Go gceadófar go dtabharfar isteach Bille dá ngairtear Acht chun an Bunreacht a leasú.

I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Constitution.

I am very happy to introduce this Bill with my colleague, Teachta Ó Snodaigh. The Bill is similar to one I introduced in the Thirty-first Dáil and another one we introduced in this Dáil in 2016.

The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to ensure Ireland will not and could not aid foreign powers in any way in preparation for a war, save with the assent of the Dáil. It also affirms that Ireland is a neutral State and that the State should have a policy of non-membership of military alliances. The continued use of Shannon Airport for foreign militaries to facilitate their ongoing wars, coupled with the increased militarisation of the EU and this State's deeper integration in the EU's military system through permanent structured co-operation, PESCO, ensures this Bill is timely.

I will ask the Government and all parties and groups to support the Bill when it appears for debate and to stop undermining Irish neutrality. Sinn Féín believes that if Ireland followed a policy of positive neutrality, our State could make a highly significant contribution to the long-held global objective of peace and justice and the achievement of the goal of universal human security to which everyone has a right.

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