Sir, – Roger Cole's extensive praise for the peaceful values inherent in the social democratic policies of Jeremy Corbyn reveals a perplexing misconception of Ireland's defence policy to date ("Corbyn victory would boost Irish peace movement", Opinion & Analysis, September 11th).
Though Mr Cole’s support for the ideals of peace and neutrality is doubtlessly commendable, this support seems to convey itself through criticism of the “doctrines of perpetual war” that he attributes to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party.
These parties of mainstream Irish politics have presided over almost a century of independent government for the duration of which Ireland has never truly participated in war, with this policy of neutrality continuing to the present day.
Ireland spends only 0.39 per cent of its GDP on defence, which is lower than any other EU country.
This striking figure comes after a number of years of decline in military spending.
Furthermore, Ireland’s minor contribution to the global supply of military technology consists mostly of dual-purpose goods that accomplish civilian ends also. Despite this, Ireland has in recent years moved towards more stringent regulation of the arms trade, following the Control of Exports (Goods and Technology) Order 2009 and Ireland’s support for and subsequent ratification of the arms trade treaty as recently as last year.
Moreover, Mr Cole’s assertion that a refusal to allow US military aircraft passage through Ireland might “end the possibility of terrorist attacks” is equally misguided.
Are we to believe that it is for such minimal hospitality that our country might be the target of Islamic terrorists rather than our subscription to the western ideals of secularism and democracy that they so detest and violently oppose? – Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER
McMAHON,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.
Sir, – Roger Cole claims to speak for the 100,000 people who marched against the war in Iraq in Dublin, by saying those who attended would welcome Jeremy Corbyn’s election as leader of the British Labour Party. Not everyone who took part that day would share Mr Cole’s worldview. I was one of those who marched and I do not believe it was in the best interests of Labour to elect Jeremy Corbyn.
The New Labour project will always be tainted by its association with the war, but the current party would be wrong to forget New Labour’s many achievements, including its ability to win elections. A lurch to the far left with Mr Corbyn will probably ensure the Conservative Party remains in power for the next decade. – Yours, etc,
TOM NOLAN,
Hammersmith,
London.