Neutrality proposal: Sinn Féin's Private Members' Bill: The Government has sharply rejected a Sinn Féin Private Members' Bill enshrining neutrality in the Constitution.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Kitt, accused the party of engaging in "a blatant attempt to confuse the public, to spread doubt and misinformation, and to portray this Government as somehow 'soft' on the question of Irish neutrality".
He said that Sinn Féin was aware that the State's commitment to keep outside of military alliances had never been more secure.
Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) claimed that Irish neutrality was in "flitters" after the Government's mishandling of international affairs and the Bill was designed to re-establish it on a solid foundation.
"The Bill will write neutrality into the Constitution for the first time. It is straightforward, as constitutional provisions should be. It is also in line with what the Government claims is its policy - that is, non-membership of military alliances."
However, Mr Kitt argued that Ireland's long-serving policy of military neutrality, as followed by successive governments, was already fully respected, protected and upheld by the constitutional amendment approved by the electorate last autumn. "This confirmed the central and defining characteristic of Irish people in this area, that is, our non-participation in military alliances. A commitment was made not to enter into a common defence arrangement in the EU, unless the people decide otherwise in a referendum."
Introducing the 27th Amendment to the Constitution Bill 2003, Mr Ó Caoláin said the Bill could not be more timely. "Last weekend witnessed the largest political demonstration in Ireland and around the world in our lifetimes."
The Government, he added, had strayed very far from the principles set out in Article 29 of the Constitution.
"Throughout its two terms of office since 1997, it has steadily eroded Irish neutrality and independent foreign policy. This was done by joining NATO's so-called Partnership for Peace without the referendum promised by the Taoiseach, by signing the treaties of Amsterdam and Nice, and most recently and most shamefully, by their conduct in the current international crisis."
Fine Gael's defence spokesman, Mr Dinny McGinley, said the motion was being debated against the background of a "duplicitous and relentless attempt by the fringe parties - the Green/Sinn Féin/Independent alliance - to jump on the neutrality bandwagon and portray themselves as the doves who would save Ireland's soul from the horror of war."
Expressing support for the Bill, Mr Finian McGrath (Independent, Dublin North Central) said it was about "putting Ireland out there among the nations of the world as a broker for peace, equality and justice".
Debate on the Bill resumes tonight.The Sinn Féin Private Members' Bill on neutrality seeks to amend Article 28 of the Constitution and insert a new Article 29.3.
Article 28 currently reads: "War shall not be declared and the State shall not participate in any war save with the assent of Dáil Éireann."
The amendment reads: "War shall not be declared and the State shall not participate in any war or other armed conflict, nor aid foreign powers in any way in preparation for war or other armed conflict, or conduct of war or other armed conflict, save with the assent of Dáil Éireann."
The proposed new Article 29.3 reads: "Ireland affirms that it is a neutral State.
To this end, the State shall, in particular, maintain a policy of non-membership of military alliances."
