Sir, – The opinion piece by Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe (“The Green Party’s changing position on defence - a new triple-lock proposal”, May 25th) is welcome. No sovereign independent nation should allow others a say in when and where we can deploy our Defence Forces. That matter should be decided by Government, and ratified by the Dáil and Seanad.
I welcome the change in Green Party policy, as it reflects the changes and threats in the European security situation currently. As threats evolve and change, so to should the security and defence policies of various parties. The German Green party also changed policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I would also welcome Green Party members of Government advocating strongly at the Cabinet table for improvements for the Defence Forces and expediting delivery of same. – Yours, etc,
CONOR HOGARTY,
Blackrock,
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Co Dublin.
Sir, – Ciarán Cuffe writes about positive neutrality.
We have run down our Defence Forces to shocking levels. Yes, there are steps being taken to reverse this and we have had two White Papers, and an international review on the issue of our defence, and now we are to commence a further consultation process. Meanwhile, Russian naval services recently roosted just outside our maritime territorial limits and well inside our economic zone.
How does prevention of incursions into Irish waters and potential dangers to the international communications systems lying within them, with the implications this has for our economy, fall under a peacekeeping role? We have Defence Forces because, as a sovereign state, we need to defend our interests, by force if required. If we cannot provide for such cover ourselves the public interest demands that we do so with the assistance of other friendly nations, if necessary. While we await the re-equipping of our own defence forces, given what is happening in Ukraine, is it time to bring about a bilateral defence agreement between Ireland and Nato? This could be structured to require a Dáil invitation for Nato aid, if needed, and for a Dáil resolution to agree to aid a Nato member, if requested.
Our military forces will put their lives on the line if our security is in danger. It is time to show them more respect and end the lip-service, prevarications and reviews.
Joining Nato will be a necessity in the event of a united Ireland. Whereas joining a common EU defence requires a referendum, under the constitutional changes made to adopt the Good Friday Agreement, much more wide-ranging steps can be taken in relation to improved North-South cooperation. Since Northern Ireland is already in Nato, a bilateral agreement with this organisation should be possible under ordinary law. – Yours, etc,
GAY MITCHELL,
(Former TD and MEP,
Fine Gael),
Dublin 6.