Irish neutrality for debate in Kilcullen tonight

Irish neutrality is not enshrined in the constitution but has been a policy of Ireland's governments since the formation of the state in 1922, writes Brian Byrne. The current and future status of this policy will be discussed this evening in Kilcullen Town Hall.

Does the policy, which has been defined in different ways over more than a century, fit in with the reality of today's geopolitics? Are we as a nation in a position to defend our neutrality against any aggressor who might not care very much about the niceties of the policy? Are we being naive in posturing neutrality while in reality depending on NATO member countries to protect us? How real is the value of military neutrality to the perception of Ireland abroad that we like to assume for our UN peacekeeping and NGO aid activities?

These are some of the questions that may or may not be pursued in this evening's session of the Neutrality Roadshow being hosted in Kilcullen Town Hall from 7.30pm this evening. Main speakers are Niamh Ní Bhriain, the coordinator of the Transnational Institute’s War and Pacification programme, and Fionn Wallace, a researcher and political writer.

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