Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The concept of neutrality in this country is under threat like never before. Commentary in this House and other forums is now advocating for a different approach and policy. Ireland has a proud history of neutrality, going back centuries. That concept is never, ever to aid and abet militarism and war. Neutrality is never to be complicit in other states' wars of domination and conquest. It is against militarism and joining any military pact by stealth, since those promote conflict, regardless of where they are. Ireland's reputation across the world is second to none with regard to social justice, peacekeeping and standing up for the oppressed across the world. We should know, because Ireland has a proud history of standing up to oppression, imperialism and the terrible effects of war. That is an ongoing factor in what we feel ourselves.

There is a bloody blot on neutrality in Ireland. That is the use of Shannon Airport in the last three decades. Does the Minister of State know how many people have been killed in the two Iraqi wars in the last three decades? Half a million people have been killed, an incredible number. The vast majority were civilians. Ireland has facilitated American personnel coming through Shannon Airport on the way to Iraq. People in this country are brutalised by the idea that ordinary people in Iraq were subjected to the worst violence by the most powerful country in the world, which Ireland was complicit in. That is why we stand with the oppressed. We should have no truck whatsoever with militarism, whatever its form. That is a fact and a bloody blot on Ireland's neutrality. Ireland was complicit with the American army and in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The vast majority of people in this country support neutrality. They understand the concept and want to keep it that way. That is why we have tabled this legislation. It forms a debate and copper-fastens neutrality in this country.

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