Irish Forum on Neutrality criticised for pro-NATO views

Ireland’s traditionally neutral stance to conflict was meant to be discussed at the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy in Cork, though anti-NATO protests and most of the panel expressing pro-NATO views have fed into a growing criticism of the debate.

Academics, researchers, military experts and civilians held moderated discussions at the government-funded Consultative Forum to discuss a range of issues, including Ireland’s military neutrality.

The forum was “not a binary discussion on neutrality and was never intended to be”, and the government “do not intend to change Ireland’s policy of military neutrality,” the deputy head of government, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, said about the forum.

However, while the discussion on neutrality was sparked by traditionally neutral Finland and Sweden recently joining the NATO alliance, the discussion was generally criticised for its lack of diversity of views, with the majority of the panel having expressed pro-NATO views. At the same time, Martin’s opening address at the Forum with slogans like “No to NATO”.

“The Forum is a transparent and farcical attempt by the government to narrate a revision of Irish neutrality into reality. It’s a con job and a fit-up. Nobody is fooled by any of it, and the protest and public outcry over it show that it’s not going to work,” Independents for change MEP Clare Daly told EURACTIV.

On the side of Sinn Fein, MEP Chris MacManus told EURACTIV, “There is growing recognition that this forum is less about public debate and more about an attempt to reshape public opinion.”

“The simple fact is the vast majority of Irish people want to protect our neutrality. My party Sinn Féin fully support that view. We want to defend Irish neutrality, and we want to see it enshrined in our constitution,” MacManus added.

Ireland’s neutral position is backed by 61% of the Irish, according to a June poll by the Irish Times/Ipso that also pointed to 55% of those surveyed being in favour of “significantly increasing” military capacity.

Even Irish President Michael D Higgins appeared to have predicted the ensuing backlash as he warned ministers may be “playing with fire”.

(Sophie O’Rourke | EURACTIV.com)