Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to statements on the European Council meeting. I was particularly concerned about this meeting’s focus on strengthening security and defence. The European Council’s conclusions support that the EU is "taking more responsibility for the EU's own security [and in the field of defence] pursuing a strategic course of action...and increasing the EU's capacity to act autonomously". The Council, during its meeting, also called for a commitment to invest in the capabilities necessary "to conduct the full range of missions and operations", including a rapid deployment capacity.

The constant focus on EU militarisation and the steps towards an EU army should be a cause for concern for everyone in this country, as Ireland is subtly being roped into this. We know it is not a cause for concern for everyone in this House but it should be for everybody in the country; there is no doubt about that. The year 2022 was a challenging time for Irish neutrality. The Government has assured us that this is not the case but many of us in opposition see the different ways in which neutrality is slowly being eroded. I have raised the concern of neutrality many times recently, however I feel that as public representatives we must do all we can to raise the concerns and interests of our constituents.

A poll from The Irish Timeslast year showed that a significant majority of people in Ireland disagreed with the statement that: "Ireland should send military aid to Ukraine, even if this affects our neutrality". Despite this, over the course of the year it seems that both the Government and the media have been adamant to shift the public’s support for neutrality. Why is this?

What is the reason for it? Why does the Government continue to refuse to act in the interest of its citizens? That is the big question.

At the beginning of this month, Irish representatives participated in one of the NATO military committee's meetings on NATO's strategy and war fighting concepts. Why would Ireland participate in these meetings when we are not a member of NATO? Why would we participate as a neutral country? More interestingly, why was it not even reported on?

Four EU members, Ireland, Malta, Austria and Cyprus, are neutral countries. However, the EU is forcing us into alignment with NATO. Why is this fact never acknowledged and respected at these European Council meetings? This is not what Ireland signed up for when we joined the EU.

It was also interesting that the European Council reported that the US is our foremost strategic partner and ally and we share deep and strategic ties. In what exactly is it a strategic partner? This is concerning, especially when one considers that Shannon Airport continues to be used by the US military to fuel the war in Ukraine, and in the Middle East where it is involved. This contradicts our obligations as a neutral country.

Recently Zelenskyy asked the US Congress for more money for weapons that will likely be shipped through our country. We cannot allow this to go on while calling Ireland a country of peace.

What we can do is provide a neutral voice at the negotiating table. We should encourage de-escalation and peace talks, not attending NATO strategy meetings. This island has unique experience and expertise in negotiating for peace. This is where our strengths lie. This is what we should be utilising in this uncertain and frightening time for many Ukrainians and, indeed, Europeans.

To do this, however, the EU needs to start respecting our neutral stance rather than trying to pull us into this militarisation that it is trying to force on member states. The media and the Government also need to start respecting what the Irish people want regarding neutrality, and the Taoiseach needs to start communicating this want at these European Council meetings. No doubt Europe might be pulling us one way but the Government is happily running down the road to meet them anyway regardless of the views of the Irish people.

I echo the Council's condemnation of the recent death penalty sentences pronounced following the ongoing protests in Iran. The right to peacefully protest is an important right and I am shocked and saddened at the treatment of peaceful protesters in Iran, particularly women. The introduction of a death penalty at any time, under any circumstances, is unforgivable.

I agree with the Council's calls to ensure the availability and affordability of agricultural products and fertilisers. This is an important topic. More time should have been spent addressing this than addressing security and defence at these Council meetings.

There are significant concerns regarding food security. I raised these recently. This is something that we should debate further in this Chamber rather than continuously talking and pushing on what is happening with NATO. The Government should declare what it wants to do, come out straightforwardly and say it wants to get rid of neutrality and it wants to be part of an EU military strategy, and then be open about it and have a proper debate on it.

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