Madam, - In response to Des Kelly (February 13th), I would like to remind him that neutrality refers not only to a refusal to join military alliances, but a refusal to allow one's national territory or resources to be used by belligerents in war.
During the last decade our neutrality has been progressively eroded to the point where today it is more an aspiration than a reality. We are members of military alliances such as the so-called Partnership for Peace and the emerging European army in the form of EU battlegroups. We allow our territory to be used by the US army en route to the war in Iraq. And our taxes are contributing to the European Defence Agency.
All of this has come about as a consequence of both government policy and ratification of successive EU treaties, particularly Nice. Gerry Adams was correct when he said in 2001 that the Nice Treaty "brings us closer into a European army and into Nato".
Contrary to Mr Kelly's assertions, the triple lock has provided no protection against these developments. The Lisbon Treaty will bring us further down the road to militarised foreign and defence policies. It will consolidate Nato compatibility. It contains three separate clauses that will result in increasing military expenditure at home and in the EU. It contains no commitment to the UN.
It expands the scope for military interventions by the EU. And the word "neutrality" does not appear anywhere in the text.
For those concerned about where all of this will take us, one only has to look at the EU mission to Chad. Under the guise of humanitarian aid Irish troops are being sent to support the French government in propping up a brutal and undemocratic government in order to protect French economic interests.
The issue is not whether one is pro or anti European, but whether one is pro or anti a militarised Europe. - Yours, etc,
Cllr PÁDRAIG MAC LOCHLAINN, Sinn Féin, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
Madam, - Once again I see that Sinn Féin and Patricia McKenna are encouraging us all to vote No in another referendum on Europe. That is all the encouragement I need to vote Yes. - Is mise,
BEAIRTLE Ó CONGHAILE, Dún Dealgan, Co Lú.
Madam, - In the torrid debate that no doubt awaits us, I suggest one simple question to be addressed, in all forums, to proponents of the treaty: "Will this be the only referendum?" - Yours, etc,
JOHN MAGUIRE, Red Abbey Street, Cork.