Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2015
10. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence with regard to his Department's White Paper on Defence, his views on a change to the State's policy and definition of military neutrality, and if he will consider the use of Shannon Airport by the military of the United States of America to be a breach of that military neutrality, and of other policies under the Defence portfolio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Defence, which was published this summer, following a broad and extensive consultative process, did not change Ireland's policy of military neutrality.
Our policy of military neutrality remains a core element of Irish foreign policy. The Government’s recent review of foreign policy and the Defence White Paper confirmed that Ireland will continue to maintain a policy of military neutrality which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements.
Neutrality has always been a matter of policy and has never been a matter of law either constitutional or statutory. Ireland's policy of military neutrality was formed in an era when inter-State conflict was the key issue of national security for most States. The State’s policy of remaining outside of military alliances has remained in place ever since. Thankfully, the threat of inter-State war in Europe is much diminished, but there will continue to be new and emerging threats in the defence and security environment.
The reality remains that the world continues to evolve to such an extent that no one country alone can respond adequately to the threats in the defence and security environment and inevitably there will be threats and challenges that have not yet been anticipated. Such security challenges will require an enhanced collective and comprehensive approach, and there will be an increasing emphasis on security co-operation.
The issue of overflights and the use of Shannon are the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, the Deputy will be aware that successive Governments have made overflight and landing facilities available at Shannon Airport to the United States for well over 50 years. These arrangements do not amount to any form of military alliance with the US and are governed by strict conditions, applied to ensure compatibility with our traditional policy of military neutrality.
Finally, it goes without saying that all our policy responses must realistically reflect current and future security challenges and should be able to accommodate the necessary responses, both national and collective without prejudice to our policy of military neutrality.
