Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----because of our status of being military unaligned and our long-standing tradition of neutrality. Ireland's neutrality is our strength.

It is now about showing leadership on the world stage, finding solutions, de-escalating crises and contributing to peacekeeping. Ireland's principled refusal to embrace military might as a means of resolving the world's problems is respected. Neutrality is part of who we are as a people, a cherished and shared value of the nation and one which retains, as we know, overwhelming support. There is no public appetite to change the current position on neutrality.

It has allowed Ireland to stand as a champion of peace, equality, democracy and international law. Moves by the Government to undermine our neutrality, developed over a century of diplomacy, are incredibly short-sighted and would have long-lasting repercussions.

I am very alarmed by reports that the Tánaiste is ready to bring to Cabinet legislation aimed at discarding Ireland's triple-lock neutrality protection. Such a move would breach multiple commitments given to the Irish people, particularly during the EU referendums on the Nice and Lisbon treaties. It also constitutes a fundamental and very negative shift in Irish foreign policy. Sinn Féin will oppose all attempts by the Government to dismantle our neutrality. We will stand up and defend it every step of the way. Let me say this. If the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach are so confident that dismantling our neutrality commands public support and if they are determined to proceed, I ask them to put that plan to the people by way of a referendum and let them decide.

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