Madam, - In response to Deaglán de Bréadún's article "Neutral Ireland will have key role implementing EU security strategy" (Opinion, January 12th, I would like to make the following points.
Irish neutrality was government policy from the foundation of the State, ever since Michael Collins ensured in the negotiations that established the State our right to have an independent foreign policy.
However, it was not enshrined in the Irish Constitution, as was pointed out by Mr Justice Kearns when giving his judgement on the case taken by Edward Horgan who challenged the Government's decision to allow Shannon to be used by the US in its conquest of Iraq.
The judge pointed out that the Hague Convention V of 1907 forbids neutral states from allowing states engaged in war to move troops, supplies or munitions across their territory.
While it is possible that The Irish Times might not be aware that 100,000 US troops have used Shannon airport, it is PANA's contention that under no circumstances whatsoever can Ireland now be described as neutral.
The reality is that the Taoiseach is the first nationalist leader since John Redmond to destroy the policy of Irish neutrality and to support an imperial war of conquest.
While the "far left" can speak for itself, PANA has always been supportive of Europe. All we have opposed is the militarisation of Europe and we agree with Mr de Bréadún that neutrality was the main reason why people voted No in the first Nice Treaty referendum.- Yours, etc.,
ROGER COLE,
Chair, Peace and
Neutrality Alliance,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.