Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Seanad Éireann:

notes: - that Ireland's military neutrality:

- - not being members of an international military alliance - has been and remains a central and invaluable component of our foreign policy since the foundation of the State;

- underpins our international status as an independent and impartial voice for peace and the de-escalation of armed conflict and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction throughout the world;

- - in tandem with our incredible global diaspora - contributes to Ireland's unique voice for peace and reconciliation throughout the world;

- and our leadership in peacekeeping and peace enforcement gives great moral authority and legitimacy to our voice for the international rule of law, and the peaceful resolution of conflict and oppression;

recognises that:

- Ireland's military neutrality is highly valued and cherished by the citizens of Ireland;

- Ireland's membership of any military alliance would immediately diminish and undermine our international reputation as an independent and impartial nation state, whose sovereign mission has been exclusively to pursue peace and reconciliation throughout the world;

acknowledges that:

- Ireland has been an active participant in UN sanctioned peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions on the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia, without compromising our military neutrality;

- Ireland retains the political discretion to support any member of the international community in crisis, on a case-by-case basis, with the protection of the triple lock mechanism, without the necessity to join a military alliance;

- in a time of increased political and military instability in Europe, with the invasion of Ukraine, and in a time of global de-stabilisation and accelerating climate change, our military neutrality is more important than ever;

and calls on the Government to:

- properly fund Ireland's Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and Cyber Capability:

- in order that we can vindicate our sovereign, neutral status and properly secure our land, air, maritime and cyber domains;

- to pay our soldiers, aircrew and sailors a living wage in order that Ireland can meaningfully respond to man-made and natural disasters;

- to appoint a Minister for Defence, with an exclusive portfolio, in all future administrations, to properly lead and advocate for Ireland's defence, security and sovereign neutral status;

- guarantee Ireland's status as a militarily neutral state and commit to preserving that neutral status by way of a constitutional guarantee.

I propose to share time with Senator McDowell.