Sir, – In Stephen Collins’s thought-provoking piece “Ireland’s neutrality is widely regarded as absurd and complacent” (Opinion & Analysis, February 21st), he suggests that our “neutral” status is resented or considered problematic by our EU and international partners.
While Ireland’s “neutral” status does not meet the international legal definition of neutrality, we have a long-standing tradition of military non-alignment. We have chosen not to become full members of any military alliance. Notwithstanding this position, successive Irish taoisigh have recognised the value of military alliances such as Nato for Ireland’s security and prosperity.
For example, in the 1960s, Seán Lemass observed: “Nato is necessary for the defence of the countries of Europe, including this country. Although we are not members of Nato, we are in full agreement with its aims”.
Ireland is a member of Partnership for Peace, an adjunct to Nato and our troops have contributed to a number of Nato peace enforcement missions internationally.
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Why have we never become full members of Nato?
The answer probably lies in the remarks of Ireland’s minister for external affairs Seán MacBride on the establishment of Nato: “Ireland, as an essentially democratic and freedom loving country is anxious to play her full part in protecting and preserving . . . The democratic way of life. With the general aim of the Atlantic Pact in this regard, therefore we are in agreement. In the matter of military measures, however, we are faced with an insuperable difficulty from the strategic and political points of view, by reason of the fact that six of our north-eastern counties are occupied by British forces against the will of the overwhelming majority of the Irish people”.
The fact of the matter is that in the current turbulent security environment, six of our counties remain in Nato. The Republic now finds itself in a febrile and fast-moving political and defence environment.
While I do not agree with Stephen Collins that the world order has “collapsed”, I do agree that we are experiencing a period of major disruption and flux. I also agree with him that this situation “demands a more serious response than has been evident to date”.
I believe, along with the vast majority of Irish citizens, that Ireland should retain its status of military non-alignment. There is no benefit to Ireland at this point in joining an alliance such as Nato, or in endorsing the formation of any EU army. It is unlikely that we would be accepted as members of any such alliance as we do not meet the most basic functional prerequisites for our own defence and security.
Contrary to Stephen Collins’s assertion, our military non-alignment is not contested by our international partners. In my experience as an Irish interparliamentary representative at the Organisation for Security Cooperation Europe (OSCE) – comprised of 57 nation-states – I have never encountered any criticism of our militarily non-aligned status. As an academic and security analyst presenting at academic and military conferences internationally for the last 25 years, I have never encountered any resentment or hostile scrutiny of our military non-alignment.
For our international partners, Ireland’s “neutral” status – such as it is – is perfectly acceptable and a matter of national competency and choice. Ireland, as anyone who has had any real experience of armed conflict will tell you, is regarded as independent and distinct from other nation-states that are full, formal members of military alliances. This has been my experience as an Army officer and journalist in conflict zones from Lebanon, to Bosnia, Syria and Iraq.
I fully agree with Stephen Collins that Ireland needs to – as a matter of urgency – invest in our Defence Forces in order that they be able to meet our defence and security needs in the areas of emergency response and in our cyber, ground, air and maritime domains. I would strongly advocate that we begin with “Level of Ambition 3″ as set out in the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. We should also continue to evolve our fullest co-operation with our international partners in defence, security and intelligence structures.
Finally, Ireland needs to fundamentally redesign our security, defence and intelligence architecture. The primary lens through which we do this should be with regard to Ireland’s future as an all-island entity. With six counties already in Nato, the security expectations of a large part of our population will be very high and therefore our future defence arrangements will have to be very robust. Robust enough to justify our claim to be a sovereign “neutral” state. – Yours, etc,
Senator TOM CLONAN,
(Army Captain, retired)
Seanad Éireann,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.
Shamrock diplomacy
Sir, – Sinn Féin’s “principled stance” in not meeting the US President on St Patrick’s Day is the height of performative petulance (News, February 21st). Much time, energy and political capital were expended in the past by US presidents and taoisigh to gain Sinn Féin this level of access. To see it thrown away in populist pretence and grandstanding is dismaying in the extreme, and does nothing but harm to Irish diplomatic and commercial campaigns in the US. – Yours, etc,
JOHN NAUGHTON,
Dublin 18,
Sir, – Justine McCarthy comments that “Trump has dragged our world into a dark night of the soul” (“Martin should go to US and tell Trump what Ireland stands for”, Opinion & Analysis, February 21st).
The front-runner to be the next German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has said that the “US could slide into populist instability and he hoped that the US remained a democracy”. President Emmanuel Macron of France has urged Mr Trump not to be “weak with Putin”.
Surely it is now time for our elected Government to let us know its view on these major developments in the world order? – Yours, etc,
MARTIN McDONALD,
Dublin 12.
Sir, – I note that Sinn Féin have made the decision not to attend the White House’s St Patrick’s Day event. As this party basks in the luxury of opposition, such a decision might come easy, but that does not make it right.
The tough and brave decision is to go, engage and represent not just the interests of the Irish nation, but all of those around the world where an additional voice of reason is needed.
But apparently Sinn Féin says “No”! – Yours, etc,
NEVILLE SCARGILL,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – All the talk and commentary regarding Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s White House visit on St Patrick’s Day centres around what Mr Martin should or will say to President Trump. Perhaps we ought to be more concerned about exactly what Mr Trump says to the Taoiseach. – Yours, etc,
PETER DECLAN O’HALLORAN,
Belturbet,
Co Cavan.
Sir, – As Minster for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris is engaged in a so-called “diplomatic offensive” to engage with the Trump administration. His flurry of statements on President Trump, no doubt designed to grab the headlines in Ireland, will not go unnoticed by officials in the Trump administration. Mr Harris will himself be judged on his ability to represent Ireland’s interests in Washington, not on how many likes he receives on social media. – Yours, etc,
PATRICK O’DRISCOLL,
Fermoy,
Co Cork.
A cabin in the garden
Sir, – There is a reason why planning laws do not allow the rampant construction of cabins in back gardens.
Not only would it be exploited in the extreme by greedy landlords, but it would destroy communities everywhere, wreaking havoc with service requirements, parking, traffic and living standards.
Over time, such cabins would be come ragged in our climate – it’s why we build houses with bricks.
Is there any chance that the powers that be could step back from this proposed insanity, use some basic reasoning, and not turn every suburb into a cesspit within 20 years? – Yours, etc,
KEVIN NOLAN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – When there is a demand for something in Ireland , greed and avariciousness seems to always take over, with exorbitant costs being immediately applied to items and goods that are in demand. If this happens with cabins, we will be back to square one. – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’BRIEN,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.
Sir, – With reference to the David McWilliams’s article “In the war on dereliction, a tax amnesty is the best weapon”, Opinion, February 15th), I think the current Government appears to prefer to let a young person live in their parent’s back garden rather than create the incentives for the renovation of derelict buildings in our cities. No prizes for guessing where they would prefer to live! Are we destined to get the same approach to the housing crisis for the next five years? – Yours, etc,
SUSAN BRENNAN,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin 14,
Sir, – How can a cabin in the garden be a serious proposal even in the short term for a family home?
Maybe tree-houses are next. – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN BUTLER,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
Universal basic income
Sir,– In 2023, €115 million in overpayments were made, according to the Department of Social Protection Annual Report, together with 320 cases of suspected identity fraud, across social welfare schemes. The number of cases uncovered was 6,007 in 2024, up 910 cases in 2023 (News, February 21st).
The number of cases of suspected fraud reveal the laxity of control and administration.
Our present welfare system, with its multiplicity of schemes and payment rates, means-testing and error-prone administration, is unfit for purpose and divisive.
Our social welfare system needs a complete overhaul with the opportunity in 2025 to introduce universal basic income to reduce complexity, reduce costs and errors and create a fair system of payment to all, uniting rather than dividing, and creating the beginnings of a fair society. – Yours, etc,
HUGH McDERMOTT,
Dromahair,
Co Leitrim.
A family facing eviction
Sir, – Last weekend, The Irish Times published an interview about my family’s struggle with a no-fault eviction (“Young family faces eviction after council declines to purchase home from landlord”, News, February 14th). Our landlord is selling the apartment we have called home, and despite our best efforts, we cannot afford to buy it. South Dublin County Council has refused to purchase it under the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme, deeming it too expensive. This leaves myself, my wife, and our child in a frightening situation with no clear path forward. Following the article, a reader with the initials DH kindly reached out to The Irish Times, offering potential assistance. However, the email address the person provided appears to have a full inbox, making it impossible for the journalist – or myself – to reply. If the person in question sees this, I would be incredibly grateful if she could reach out again. Thank you to all who have expressed concern and support. – Yours, etc,
PAUL HARNEY,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
McNally’s pint of honour
Sir, – I was shocked – shocked! – to read that Frank McNally was once refused service in a Dublin pub (An Irishman’s Diary, February 21st). That’s rather like the Pope being turned away from the Sistine Chapel or Joyce being barred from Sweny’s Pharmacy. Still, all’s well that ends well. The eventual apology, a free drink, and even a celebratory ballad surely elevate this pub to historic status. Indeed, any establishment that can inspire both poetry and an Irishman’s Diary is surely deserving of a commemorative plaque, preferably placed just above the taps. – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.
Alcohol warning labels
Sir, – Why stop at individual labels? We could have people employed to whisper these warnings in your ear in the pub each time you have a sip, rising to a shout if you dared to take a large mouthful. – Yours, etc,
DAVID CURRAN,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.
