Madam, – Daragh McDowell (December 3rd) has clearly suggested that Ireland should have taken part in the second World War and joined Nato.
In 1939, when Ireland decided to remain neutral and quoted the Hague Convention of 1907 in doing so, all members of Dáil Éireann, bar one, supported that decision.
Neither did Ireland join Nato, a nuclear armed military alliance committed, as is still is, to the first use of these horrific weapons.
Far from being “parochial”, Frank Aiken, as our foreign minister, spent a good deal of time in the United Nations and sponsored the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Indeed, our war of national Independence against the British Imperial Empire was an inspiration to people all over the world.
The Irish people’s rejection of the Lisbon Treaty was a continuation of that anti-imperialist tradition.
How, for example, especially in the middle of a massive economic crisis, can it be justified that “member states shall undertake to progressively to improve their military capabilities”, or to agree that “a more assertive Union role in security and defence matters will contribute to the vitality of a renewed Atlantic Alliance” (Nato)?
The sovereign will of the Irish people has expressed itself with the rejection of the treaty.
Any attempt by Ireland’s rich and powerful elite to force the Irish people to vote again on exactly the same treaty will be a rejection of Irish democracy. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Is Daragh McDowell seriously suggesting we should have participated in the second World War in order to have access to the funding under the Marshall Plan?
I’ve heard of selling out on your principles but this is a new low even for this State. – Yours, etc,