Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Schuman Declaration that we commemorate today begins, "World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it." Military neutrality and our triple lock system are the kind of bold policy instruments that are in keeping with this European vision of world peace laid down 75 years ago. Last year saw the highest number of state-based conflicts since 1946. The past three years were the most violent in the past three decades. Around the world, nation states are withdrawing more and more from the international system. In the face of rising militarism and intimidation, we must maintain robust counter-measures that promote peace and diplomacy.

Tá a fhios againn ó thaithí go n-éistear le hÉirinn mar gheall ar an stair faoi leith atá againn. Ní féidir linn anois níos mó ná riamh ár nglórtha ar son na ndaoine atá faoi chois a fhágáil ar leataobh. Tugann ár neodracht an neamhspleáchas dúinn labhairt ar son na síochána, coimeádaithe síochána a sheoladh tríd na Náisiúin Aontaithe agus seasamh in aghaidh na héagóra cibé áit a dtarlaíonn sí.

Chaill muid deis den sórt sin an tseachtain seo chaite nuair a theip ar an Rialtas seasamh leis an bPalaistín sa Chúirt Bhreithiúnais Idirnáisiúnta trí argóintí béil a thabhairt i gcoinne comhairle chogaidh Iosrael mar gheall ar fhaitíos seasamh suas in aghaidh bulaithe. Éilím ar an Rialtas gníomhú anois go dáiríre agus dul níos faide ná béalghrá a thabhairt do chúis na Palaistíne agus an Bille maidir leis na críocha faoi fhorghabháil a bhrú chun cinn. Ní leor focail chun an dlí idirnáisiúnta a chosaint. Tá gníomh ag teastáil.

As Irish republicans we support engagement in Europe but only on the basis of sovereignty, equality and democracy. Ireland must never be a silent passenger in a Union that puts the interests of powerful states or unelected elites ahead of the people. Our future, North and South, must be shaped by ourselves. With increasing pressure from Europe to rearm, we must stand our ground and send a powerful message to the rest of the Union to remind it of its founding values. On this Europe Day let us recommit to a Union that respects sovereignty, stands for peace and acts with principle and in alignment with human rights and international law. That is the Ireland we represent and that Europe and Palestine need.

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