Smith calls for Dáil defence debate
Smith calls for Dáil defence debate - The Labour Party
Labour’s defence spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has called for an urgent Dáil debate on defence to be scheduled for next week.
Following news that the Tánaiste is expected to sign up to the EU SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument, Deputy Smith said people need a guarantee that we can invest in defence while protecting our neutrality.
Deputy Smith said:
“Labour is very wary about the growing push towards militarism in the EU. In the context of Trump pressuring NATO countries, many of whom are EU member States, to increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP, SAFE will be the mechanism to achieve this goal for many of these states.
“We are not a NATO state and any investment we make in our defence forces cannot be conflated with NATO goals. We cannot, as a militarily neutral state, have this seen to be Ireland in lock step with NATO militarism.
“I am calling on the Tánaiste to make himself available on the floor of the Dáil, or the Defence and National Security Committee, and explain in detail how signing Ireland up to this initiative will strengthen our military neutrality and our voice as a state which stands for peace and justice in the world. I am extremely wary of his ability to do this if we are joining the rush to arms within Europe.
“We cannot separate this morning’s announcement from the rush from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to remove the Triple Lock without seeking any alternative guard rails for our overseas deployment. We cannot act in haste. There is too much at stake here.”