Neutrality compromised since Iraq war, Costello tells foreign policy conference
Posted on September 05, 2010 at 11:56 AM
Since the invasion of Iraq, Ireland's neutrality has been severely compromised. The war in Iraq did not have a UN mandate and was not in accordance with the rule of international law. Even though 100,000 people marched against the war on the streets of Dublin and elsewhere, Ireland became embroiled in that conflict.
Shannon airport has been a transport hub for US planes, personnel and materials going to the theatre of war. Hundreds of thousands of US soldiers passed through Shannon during the last eight years. There is ample evidence too, that Shannon has been used for the practice of extraordinary rendition - kidnapping and torture by the CIA and US military in what is called the War on Terror.
The Labour Party believes that Ireland should have a much more clearly defined and ethical foreign policy.
We refer back to our founding fathers in 1912, James Connolly and Jim Larkin. The Labour movement was internationalist and promoted solidarity between working men and women irrespective of national borders, colour or creed. The banner draped over Liberty Hall by James Connolly at the outset of the first world War which proclaimed "Neither King nor Kaiser" was a powerful statement against the nationalistic agression and military imperialism which permeated Europe at the beginning of the twentieth century. Moreover, James Connolly founded the Irish Neutrality Association to protest against British imperial aggression in the Boer War.
There is a need for a clear constitutional or legislative statement defining Ireland's relationship with the international community. It should be based on the principle of inter-dependence and international solidarity adhering always to the United Nations Charter and the rule of International Law.
Likewise, there is need for a similar statement that the Island of Ireland its people resources and facilities will not be involved actively or passively in external aggression.
Ireland has a proud record of participation in peace-keeping missions abroad for over fifty years. We have much to offer to the international community in terms of expertise in this regard. Ireland's security forces should continue to operate abroad under the Charter and mandate of the United Nations and subject to the Triple Lock.
The EU after the Lisbon Treaty has a wider brief and potential for international co-operation, poverty reduction, rapid response to natural and human disasters and sustainable development of the planet together with peacekeeping and conflict resolution. The Party of European Socialists to which the Labour Party is affiliated contributed enormously to the contents of the Lisbon Treaty which link up the EU with existing international human rights bodies and with international solidarity and developmental objectives. Ireland has a rich vein of ethical foreign policy to plough through full blooded involvement in the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty.
Overseas aid is a key element of Irish foreign policy. We firmly believe that the United Nations target of .7% of GDP for Overseas Development Aid (ODA) should be met by 2015. We will ensure good governance and promote robust civil society together with structures for the promotion and defence of human and civil rights as part of our aid strategy. We will co-ordinate and consolidate the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOS) and ensure transparency and accountability. We will explore more effective structures for dispensing aid and a more holistic approach to human and economic development.
Finally the joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs should have a more active role in the initiation of policy proposals, research, public debate and publication.
