Irish Neutrality is under such sustained attack by the Irish Government

Irish Neutrality is under such sustained attack by the Irish Government – Tóibín

Speaking in the Dáil today Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín stated:

“Mícheal Martin said yesterday that he was open, to EU Treaty Change to delete the vetoes held by this Dáil and other national parliaments in terms of EU Foreign policy and security issues. He is open in other words to reducing the democratic say of the Irish people on incredibly important issues”.

“This comes in the same week that all three Government parties have decided to dump the triple lock mechanism. The “triple lock” is the corner stone of Ireland’s neutrality. I cant think of another time when Irish Neutrality was under such sustained attack by the Irish Government”.

“Ireland has a proud history of active neutrality. Our record on UN peacekeeping, nuclear non-proliferation, decolonization, and aid to developing countries is second to none. Ireland has an internationally recognised position of an honest broker. This is about to be shredded. Taoiseach does all of this, not add up to this government, tying Ireland to an emerging military block, over whose decisions we will have little or no influence”.

Speaking after the Taoiseach made a reply Tóibín stated:

The Taoiseach refused to answer the central premise of this question. Yet its is as clear as day that there is a choreography to the actions of the Government in deleting the key ingredients of our Neutrality. This is intolerable”.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.