Labour retreats from previous Dáil position on Neutrality Bill and capitulates to Fine Gael

THE Labour Party's U-turn on Sinn Féin's Neutrality Bill in the Dáil today – withholding support in Government from a Bill it supported in Opposition – has been described by Seán Crowe TD as “disappointing but not surprising”.

Deputy Crowe said:

“Sinn Féin moved this Bill to open a debate on Irish neutrality and to get the support of the Oireachtas for a referendum on asserting neutrality into Bunreacht na hÉireann.

“Successive Irish governments have clearly breached articles of the Hague Convention concerning the actions of neutral countries and undermined Irish neutrality.

“They have sold Irish neutrality piece by piece against the wishes of the people.

“The ongoing court case of Mick Wallace TD and Clare Daly TD has heard important evidence from military experts that details how foreign militaries transport weaponry on aircraft going through Shannon.”

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on international affairs said that Dr Tom Clonan, a former Defence Forces officer and security analyst, has given evidence that 2.25million US troops have passed through Shannon since 2002. He also stated that he personally saw weapons on board these planes.

“It is a virtual forward airbase of the US military,” Seán Crowe said.

“It’s long past the time power was given back to Irish people to allow them to decide on Ireland’s future international policy and whether neutrality should be at the core of that policy.

“This Bill was the opportunity to do that. It is disappointing but not remotely surprising that the Irish Government is opposing this.”

Photo: shannonwatch.org