Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Snodaigh. Is Bille an-tábhachtach é seo agus ba chóir don Rialtas tacú leis. This Bill seeks to amend Bunreacht na hÉireann to ensure that this State will not participate in or assist other states in the preparation or conduct of war or other armed conflict. At a time when there are clear moves towards the creation of a European army, this assertion of Irish neutrality is needed more than ever. EU leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, have openly called for the creation of an EU army. Last December the European Parliament voted to establish a European defence fund. When established it will receive €13 billion of public money, to be spent on research and development in to new weapon systems. This will include direct funding for arms programmes.

Seo airgead gur chóir a infheistiú i seirbhísí poiblí ar nós talmhaíocht, sláinte, oideachas agus ag dul i ngleic leis an athrú aeráide. We must also be mindful that European arms manufacturers are already selling weapons to states, including Saudi Arabia, which are using these weapons against civilians in Yemen and elsewhere. The policy of allowing US troops to use Shannon is a shameful example of the direction successive governments have moved in recent time. I include in that the disgraceful refusal to recognise the state of Palestine. This Government has no anti-colonial instinct or sense of Ireland's proper place in world affairs.

Is féidir le achan Teachta Dála tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bhille seo.

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