The Taoiseach has said that Tánaiste Micheál Martin is developing proposals on Ireland’s neutrality.
Speaking on his way into an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Leo Varadkar said: “The Tánaiste is developing proposals on that and at the right time, and at a time of his choosing, I think he’ll tell you more about it.
“But he has developed proposals as to how we could consult with stakeholders and the public in a meaningful way on how our defence and security policies should evolve.”
Asked if a Citizens’ Assembly might form part of those proposals the Taoiseach said: “It wouldn’t be fair for me to half announce a proposal that he’s developing at the moment. So I’ll leave it to the Tánaiste and Minister of Defense to do that.”
Mr Varadkar said Ireland’s neutrality was not under any scrutiny at EU level.
He told reporters: “There are four countries in the European Union that are not members of NATO and don’t intend to join NATO.
“And there’s a very good and fair understanding of our position and our particular sensitivities and cultural politics around that. I’ve never for a second felt under any pressure from other prime ministers or presidents to change our position on it.”
He said Ireland was militarily neutral, meaning it was not part of any military alliance, but “we’re not politically neutral”.
“We’ve always been on the side of the west, on the side of democracy and on the side of freedom. And that’s particularly the case now that we’re facing this war in Ukraine.”
He said Ireland participated in PESCO, the EU’s security and defense cooperation platform, and also in the European Defence Agency.
“We’re a member of EU battlegroups. So, our neutrality needs to be seen for what it is,” Mr Varadkar said.
Last night, EU leaders approved the creation of a €2bn fund to procure one million artillery shells and precision munitions for Ukraine by the end of the year.
It will be channelled through the European Peace Facility (EPF), an off-budget mechanism increasingly used to provide military support for Ukraine.
Ireland provides non-lethal support, such as protective gear and medical supplies, through a separate EPF track.
Tánaiste to develop proposals on Irish neutrality
Source: Viral Trends Report
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