# Neutrality

Last week

28th May 2023 - 3rd June 2023

Reader Q&A: What do you want to know about Irish neutrality?

Our reporters will put your questions to experts in the field, for a comprehensive and thorough look at what neutrality means for Ireland, and how we would be affected by any possible change to the policy.

6.7k

Jun 1st 2023, 4:23 PM

Last month

May 2023

# irish neutrality

Tánaiste questions Triple Lock and calls for greater NATO links in major defence policy speech

The opposition have criticised the use of a consultation forum rather than a citizens’ assembly.

24.8k

108

Updated

May 18th 2023, 5:21 PM

# hybrid threats

Irish neutrality 'not relevant' if countries decide to target undersea cables

The Defence Forces had previously carried out an operation to protect Irish undersea cables.

19.9k

May 4th 2023, 11:12 AM

This year

2023

# Defence Forces

Public forum examining Ireland's neutrality to be held in Dublin, Galway and Cork in June

Micheál Martin says there is no preconceived outcome to the debate.

19.3k

Updated

Apr 5th 2023, 2:15 PM

# security policy

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is ‘developing proposals’ around Ireland’s neutrality

Speaking at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said stakeholders and the public will be consulted in a ‘meaningful way’.

12.6k

Mar 24th 2023, 2:00 PM

Last year

2022

# ireland's triple-lock

Motion on Ireland remaining a militarily neutral state won't be opposed by Government

Taoiseach says scrapping the triple-lock is not in the Programme for Government.

18.4k

Nov 23rd 2022, 6:30 AM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What's the future of EU defence - and how does Ireland play a role?

On this week’s episode, former army officer Tom Clonan talks to Michelle Hennessy about how the European Union’s defence strategy is evolving.

3.4k

Jun 21st 2022, 5:00 PM

# Alexander Stubb

Former Finnish Prime Minister: Neutrality is a thing of the past - now is the time to take sides

Alexander Stubb is a former Prime Minister of Finland and has dedicated his political career to campaign for Finnish NATO membership.

20.1k

Apr 30th 2022, 7:00 AM

# russian invasion

EU Commissioner McGuinness calls for ‘mature’ debate on Irish neutrality

A freshly released poll shows little support for a change in Ireland’s neutral stance.

17.6k

107

Apr 15th 2022, 12:40 PM

# Eire 6

Howth's WWII 'Eire 6' neutrality sign unveiled by Michael D Higgins following restoration

The EIRE 6 sign was one of 83 aerial recognition signs built around the Irish coast during the Second World War.

49.6k

Apr 9th 2022, 5:17 PM

# Neutrality

Government parties vote against bill calling for a referendum on Ireland's neutrality

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said Ireland’s neutrality has never stopped us participating in world events.

30.9k

Updated

Mar 30th 2022, 9:20 PM

# Ukraine

McDonald says deletion of statements on SF website not attempt to pivot position on Russia

The Sinn Féin leader says some people may try and use the war in Ukraine to try and shift Ireland away from its neutrality policy.

42.1k

Mar 14th 2022, 7:14 PM

# Neutrality

There will be a debate in Ireland on military neutrality, says Taoiseach

However, he said “we don’t have time” for such a debate right now.

28.1k

Mar 13th 2022, 1:00 PM

Voices

Debate Room: Charlie Flanagan and Richard Boyd Barrett debate Ireland's neutrality

As war rages in Ukraine, the question of Ireland’s place in the world as a neutral voice for peace is under the spotlight.

18.1k

Mar 12th 2022, 11:00 AM

# Micheál Martin

Taoiseach: 'Possible' Irish forces could help with humanitarian aid at Ukraine borders

Micheál Martin is in Versailles for a two-day summit of the European Council.

15.8k

Mar 10th 2022, 6:51 PM

# Neutrality

Taoiseach floats idea of a Citizens’ Assembly on Ireland’s military neutrality

TD Richard Boyd Barrett said he was concerned about recent calls for greater cooperation with NATO.

23.4k

Mar 8th 2022, 4:58 PM

# Neutrality

TD calls for Ireland to provide anti-tank weapons to Ukraine

Cathal Berry argued that the public mood has “utterly changed” in the past 48 hours.

70.2k

178

Feb 26th 2022, 11:37 AM

# ukraine crisis

Militarily, not politically neutral: Martin asked about neutrality on high-profile Berlin visit

Micheál Martin said that if war does break out it would be “catastrophic”.

17.4k

Updated

Feb 23rd 2022, 9:00 AM

All time

Voices

Luke Ming Flanagan: If we are heading for an EU army what does that mean for Irish neutrality?

As EU military and defence spending skyrockets, Ireland’s commitment to defence co-operation compromises its neutrality, writes Luke Ming Flanagan, MEP

25.5k

130

Nov 12th 2018, 7:00 AM

Voices

'Ireland needs to invest in its neutral status - is expelling a Russian diplomat the best way?'

Security expert Tom Clonan raises concerns about Ireland’s security and intelligence capacity and the strategic importance of our neutrality.

19.7k

228

Mar 27th 2018, 8:30 PM

# pesco

Poll: Do you want Ireland to sign up to the EU defence deal?

The Taoiseach has said the deal will not affect Ireland’s neutrality but opposition TDs think otherwise.

43.3k

211

Dec 7th 2017, 8:36 AM

# Security

Fine Gael MEP says Ireland needs to re-examine its neutrality ahead of Brexit

Jean-Claude Juncker has called for the EU to implement plans for a common defence strategy

17.8k

181

Sep 13th 2017, 5:52 PM

# irish neutrality

Ireland has refused 19 applications to carry weapons through Ireland this year

427 applications have been approved.

15.9k

Jul 22nd 2017, 4:00 PM

# miami air

Shannonwatch asks Shane Ross why 'plane on way to Nato air base' was allowed to stop in Ireland

The Department of Transport has contacted Miami Air about the “circumstances surrounding this flight”.

22.2k

Jan 9th 2017, 6:15 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Should neutrality be enshrined in the Irish Constitution?

The Independent Alliance wants a free vote on a bill proposed by Sinn Féin.

21.8k

203

Nov 23rd 2016, 8:46 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Should Ireland consider changing its position on neutrality?

With the news that the UK’s RAF will patrol our airspace in the event of a terror attack, can Ireland really remain a neutral country?

33.1k

219

Aug 15th 2016, 8:42 AM

Voices

Tom Clonan: Why it's time to have an open and honest debate about our neutrality

Security expert Tom Clonan says any decisions about our status must be taken by the Irish people in a transparent and ethical manner.

7.0k

127

Aug 15th 2016, 7:00 AM

Voices

Are we willing to risk Irish lives by sending troops to Mali or Lebanon?

Minister Simon Coveney must address the potential dangers involved in sending Irish soldiers to replace French forces, Ryan McCarrel writes.

342

109

Nov 25th 2015, 5:00 PM

Voices

Irish neutrality won’t be respected by the likes of ISIS, so why hold so dear to it?

Ireland will be neutral until the day, unlikely and all that it is, that we require someone else’s military assistance, writes Aaron McKenna.

1.2k

206

Nov 21st 2015, 8:00 AM

# Poll

Poll: Should Ireland change its position on neutrality?

The government says its commitment to supporting France in the wake of last week’s terror attacks will not affect Irish neutrality.

39.8k

205

Nov 20th 2015, 9:25 AM

# Neutrality

More than 1,000 airplanes carrying weapons allowed into Ireland since 2014

One TD says Ireland is helping weapons fall into the hands of ISIS.

22.8k

Sep 23rd 2015, 10:57 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Should Ireland's military come to the defence of EU nations?

If one came under attack, that is.

20.9k

131

Jul 16th 2015, 8:00 PM

Voices

We can see the horrors of war... so how can we still glorify violence?

War stories can gripping, poignant, sometimes even inspiring – but surely it’s time for us as a society to embrace pacifism, writes Prof John Maguire.

2.3k

Mar 3rd 2015, 5:00 PM

Voices

It's high time for neutrality to be enshrined in the Constitution – don't let the government backtrack

At the last election the government received a mandate based on their pledges, and one was formalising a policy of neutrality.

271

163

Feb 22nd 2015, 7:30 PM

# shatter says no

Remember when Ming asked for an aircraft carrier? He's told us why

It was all about Ireland’s neutrality, you see.

24.6k

Jan 2nd 2015, 11:00 AM

# failte roimh

Here are the 30 countries who have landed military aircraft in Shannon since 2009

Afghanistan, Bahrain, Israel, Saudi Arabia, USA…

17.2k

Dec 13th 2014, 11:54 AM

# QH-8073

Charlie Flanagan apologises and says this US military plane DID land in Shannon

But does an explanation of “administrative error” raise more questions than it answers?

17.6k

109

Dec 5th 2014, 5:06 PM

# Shannonwatch

TDs and Senators visited Shannon Airport today - to see if the US military should still be there

Sinn Féin’s Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said further assurances are needed from the government that Ireland’s neutrality is not being compromised.

13.2k

114

Oct 2nd 2014, 9:05 PM

# Neutrality

The web's founder celebrates its 25th birthday by calling for net neutrality

Sir Tim Berners-Lee is asking web users to press each country to develop a “digital bill of rights,” which would protect it from governments and organisations.

6.9k

Mar 12th 2014, 10:59 AM

Voices

Column: We've been given an opportunity to re-think our values as a nation... so what are they?

Where do we stand as a nation on issues like neutrality, aid and inequality? Ireland’s Foreign Policy Review allows us to have our say, writes Hans Zomer.

Feb 3rd 2014, 12:55 PM