The Government should allow the public to vote on Irish neutrality, Sinn Féin has said.
The party unveiled its policy document, Protecting Ireland’s Neutrality, at an event in Dublin on Thursday, reports Breaking News.
Speaking to journalists at the launch, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that if the Government intends to “dismantle” the Triple Lock mechanism, it is “honour bound” to consult the public and seek a democratic mandate.
The Triple Lock is the system governing the deployment of Irish troops on peacekeeping missions overseas, reports Breaking News.
Under this arrangement, Ireland cannot send more than 12 members of the Defence Forces abroad unless the mission is approved by the United Nations Security Council, the Government, and Dáil Éireann.
Ms McDonald also said the party is calling for a referendum to allow Irish voters to “include a positive assertion of Irish neutrality within the Irish constitution”, reports Breaking News.
She further stated that Sinn Féin wants the stance of neutral countries, such as Ireland, to be recognised within the foundational laws of the European Union.
She said that neutral nations are a “string to the bow of European politics and diplomacy” due to their ability to promote conflict resolution and peaceful dialogue, reports Breaking News.
When asked whether Sinn Féin would withdraw Ireland from EU defence arrangements, the party’s defence spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said previous governments had made numerous commitments that a Sinn Féin administration would not necessarily uphold.
He said that, if in power, Sinn Féin would review each commitment individually and, where feasible, “seek to disentangle” Ireland from them, reports Breaking News.
“Obviously, that would have to be on a case by case basis, but we certainly wouldn’t be making any new commitments,” he said, reports Breaking News.
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