Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas le People Before Profit, PBP, as é seo a chur chun tosaigh inniu. It seems very much that there is a war on neutrality at this time. There is a war on Ireland’s position on neutrality and a drum is being beaten by those who are cheerleading for war and those who want to militarise the EU and turn it into a geopolitical bloc. They keep telling us that we need to confront this nation or that nation but who are these people? Who are these people who seem to have the Government’s ear? Because one thing for sure is the Government is clearly not listening to the people on this issue. Despite Micheál Martin’s best efforts, he could not convince the Irish people to turn their backs on neutrality. Those who are lobbying for us to get rid of our policy of neutrality completely and utterly lack transparency. It seems that pro-NATO think-tanks are trying to influence our defence and foreign affairs policies. When they lobby a Minister, who seems all too keen to hear what they have to say, do they really have our interests at heart? Do they really have the interests of the Irish people at heart or are they technology and arms companies looking for a new customer? Anyone who stands back and looks at those who have been lobbying this Government in this regard can see clearly how it appears. I keep hearing how Ireland needs to prepare for the threat of this country or that country. These are countries which are very far from our borders and which have never invaded this island; countries which have neither threatened us nor objected to our neutrality. At times like this, I am reminded of the words of Nelson Mandela when he was criticised by members of the Israeli lobby in the US for his support for the Palestinian cause. He said the problem that certain political analysts make is that they assume that their enemies should be our enemies. We are a neutral country that threatens no one. I am deeply concerned by the increased militarisation of the EU and particularly the focus on dual-use, that is, military and civilian, exports.

I must also mention the use of Shannon Airport. It is clear how the people feel on that. It is clear from the protests we have seen and the increased protests we have seen at Shannon Airport as the Israeli genocide of the people of Gaza continues, the outrage people feel at its use and their deep concern about what is going through there.

It is clear the Government needs to stop going down the path it is on to try to get rid of our neutrality.

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