Tom Clonan on neutrality: 'Ireland gains nothing by joining NATO but that does not excuse our poor spend and lack of support of our own defence forces...'
TÁNAISTE AND MINISTER for Defence, Mícheál Martin will host a number of ‘consultative forums’ this week in Cork, Galway and Dublin about the future of Ireland’s neutrality.
Why debate neutrality? Since Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, there has been an increased focus on Ireland’s defence and security capabilities – and by extension, our long-standing military neutrality. For over a decade now, security analysts like myself have highlighted the fact that Ireland is ‘Europe’s Weakest Link’ when it comes to our defence capabilities in the air, maritime, ground and cyber domains.
Whilst this is a welcome development – I would have preferred to see the highest level of ambition implemented with a greater vindication of our sovereign, militarily neutral status with the acquisition of, for example, a fleet of heavy lift aircraft and fast jet interceptors to patrol our airspace. As a matter of urgency, we also need to pay our soldiers, sailors and aircrew a living wage. In parallel with these developments, an extremely nationalistic and revanchist Putin has invaded Ukraine.
We were initially refused entry to NATO at its inception and then simply chose not to become members of NATO thereafter. There is currently no advantage to Ireland becoming a member of NATO. As members of Partnership for Peace we can and do contribute to NATO missions on a case-by-case basis – in much the same way that we are supporting Ukraine with material and military aid in this time of crisis.
Read Next Related Reads Martin to Murphy: 'I shudder to think of the day where you might be in authority' Reader Q&A: What do you want to know about Irish neutrality? Tánaiste questions Triple Lock and calls for greater NATO links in major defence policy speech
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