asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will re-emphasise the country's commitment to neutrality by applying for associate membership of the non-aligned movement pending consideration of an application for full membership.
Written Answers. - Irish Neutrality.
308.
Ireland recognises the importance of the non-aligned movement, which is one of the most influential movements in the Third World today, representing 101 nations.
"Associate" status or "Observer" status as it is known in the movement, is often a preliminary to full membership and would not be appropriate for a developed Western State. Moreover, I am not convinced that membership of the NAM would serve to re-emphasise this country's commitment to neutrality, as suggested by the Deputy: amongst the members of the Non-Aligned Movement are many states which are not in any real sense neutral as between the two great power blocs. None of the Western European neutral states is a member or observer of the Non-Aligned Movement.