Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It seems the most recent European Council meeting was, once again, completely dominated by discussions of the conflict in Ukraine. This is an important issue but I note there was no mention of the increased violence in Palestine, where many Palestinians, including children, are suffering from Israel’s apartheid or of Yemen, where the war is getting more and more violent and where it seems that China is building peace there while the EU is sitting on its hands. Instead the Council agreed to deliver "ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition" and missiles to Ukraine, and what is more is that some of the funding for this is being provided through the European peace facility. In what way does providing 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months encourage or facilitate peace? The Irish Government supported this move while at the same time being vocal about how important peace is in Northern Ireland. It is completely hypocritical for the Taoiseach to call for "peace and prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland" and to then attend this Council meeting only three days later and support the provision of artillery, instead of advocating for peace talks and a ceasefire.

I am concerned with the Government’s decision to review Ireland’s policy on neutrality and defence and I am also concerned with the way in which this will be done. Ireland has a long-standing and proud position of neutrality and the consideration of such an important policy stance should be given to a citizens’ assembly, not just a public forum. I am sceptical of the Government’s reasons for setting up this forum. I am aware the Tánaiste said the intention is not to encourage a change in Ireland’s neutrality policy. However, it was only last year that the Tánaiste said there should be a discussion on Ireland’s neutrality following the war in Ukraine. There is no public interest whatsoever in a debate on our neutrality. The public are overwhelmingly in favour of neutrality, as we have seen from a recent poll by The Irish Times and Ipsos.

This forum should instead focus on how to strengthen our stance on peace, especially in light of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government has to be honest about the fact it has done little to contribute to peace in the North. This peace has been the work of the people on the ground in the North, and not of those who signed an agreement 25 years ago and then left them to it. This forum is an opportunity to consider the stronger role we can play in encouraging and sustaining peace on our island, as well as in other countries across the world. That is what we should be focusing on, rather than on getting rid of neutrality.

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