Mary Lou McDonald accuses Government of undermining Irish neutrality
Speaking in the first of a series of meetings to Defend Irish Neutrality, Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald said: 'We will go to the four corners of Ireland to say with one voice that we will not stand by while our neutrality is undermined and attacked by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and by the militarisation agenda at the heart of the European Union.'
Meetings will take place across the country in the coming months culminating with events in Dublin and Belfast.
Ms McDonald was joined at the Cork meeting by local TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaoire who is the Sinn Féin Foreign Affairs Spokesperson. The leader of Sinn Féin said Fine Gael have long set their face against Irish neutrality. 'The meetings are the first step in the campaign to defend Irish neutrality in the face of Irish government moves to undermine neutrality, the first step of which is the removal of the Triple Lock.
'Legislation from Simon Harris to end the Triple Lock will be published in the coming days. It is no surprise that Fine Gael are seeking to do this. They have long set their face against Irish neutrality. It's more than two decades since they launched their ill-fated document 'Beyond Neutrality'. They are joined by Fianna Fáil who have now abandoned their long standing position on Irish neutrality,' she added.
Ms McDonald continued: 'In the most cynical effort the two parties have joined forces to use the volatility in the world as an alibi to tear down our neutrality, to dismantle the Triple Lock so that Irish soldiers can be deployed in EU-led and NATO-led military misadventures that are not in Ireland's interests, and without an UN mandate. This sends a message that the United Nations no longer matters.'
Our neutrality has stood us in good stead,' declared Ms McDonald. 'It's the bedrock upon which Ireland built a powerful reputation as a voice for peace, freedom and justice in the world, as an honourable defender of human rights and democracy, as a respected champion of conflict resolution through dialogue. It has allowed members of our defence forces to wear the blue beret of UN Peacekeeping missions with pride and stand in protection of the vulnerable throughout the world.'
The President of Sinn Féin acknowledged that we are now living in an uncertain world, but she reiterated that is why preserving and strengthening Irish neutrality has never been more important. 'Never has it been more crucial for neutral states to stand-up and be counted, to confront the instinct of the powerful to arm-up, flex their military muscles and go to war. The battle to save Irish neutrality is on. We will fight back with everything we've got against this disgraceful plan from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.'
'We will campaign relentlessly,' said Ms McDonald. 'On the streets, in our communities, on the airwaves, and in the Dáil. We will ask people to join us, to get involved, to play their part, to put their feet on the street and raise their voices loudly in protest.'
During her visit to Cork, the Sinn Féin leader also visited residents from the Clashduv Road flats in Togher.
Ms McDonald said the flats have been neglected for far too long. 'Built in the 1970s, these flats face damp, rusted railings, uneven floors and rodents. Children play near danger.
'Families live with daily discomfort. They deserve better. Regeneration is urgent. The residents are the heart of these flats. The government cannot keep turning away,' she added.
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