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Foreign Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Questions (274)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

274. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to hold a referendum on Irish neutrality; and if so, when he intends to hold the referendum. [31934/22]

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Written answers

Ireland has a longstanding policy of military neutrality, meaning that we do not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. This policy, which has been implemented by successive governments, informs our active approach to peace support operations, crisis management, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. There are no plans to alter this policy at this time and the Government has no plans to hold a referendum on neutrality.

However, it is clear that the security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally. The war in Ukraine, the decisions by Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership, and the upcoming response to the recommendations by the Commission on the Defence Forces have all brought security and defence issues to the fore domestically. 

In this context, there is undoubtedly a need for debate on security and defence policy in Ireland, to reflect on the security and defence challenges we face as a country and the best way for us to respond to those challenges. The Taoiseach has indicated that the issues involved could potentially be discussed through a Citizens Assembly or a similar framework. It is important that this debate take place in an open and evidence-based way, and at an appropriate time.  The Taoiseach has already noted that this could happen during the lifetime of the current Government.   

As I have said previously, the Government’s immediate focus in the meantime remains on easing the plight of the Ukrainian people and holding the Russian leadership to account for its war of aggression against Ukraine.

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