Majority want neutrality enshrined in Ireland's constitution

A NEW STUDY by RedC Research shows that 57% of people in the state want to see a commitment to neutrality enshrined in the Irish Constitution.

The poll also found that a majority of people (55%) oppose the use of Shannon Airport by the US military. 

Opposition to the use of the airport for military means was particularly strong amongst women, with 62% opposing its use by the US military.

A previous poll by RedC revealed that 78% of people support Irish military neutrality with support strongest amongst younger people, at 85% of those under 35 years old.

In recent years there has been controversy over the apparent erosion of Irish neutrality. 

 In the European Parliament last June, Fine Gael MEPs voted in support of a motion recommending the deployment of EU air and naval assets to the Black Sea and calling on NATO to continue developing missile technology.

“Ireland is a neutral state, and this neutrality is compromised by support of a document which effectively condones military action in the Black Sea Basin,” Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said at the time.