Yes vote will strengthen neutrality, says Cowen
Referring to the revised constitutional amendment to be voted upon on October 19, Mr Cowen said it would give people the right to vote on any attempt to enter into a common defence arrangement. The Seville
Declaration, signed by all 15 EU member States, spells out clearly that our neutrality is fully protected now and in the future, the minister said.
“In the new declaration, every other EU government has confirmed that they fully respect and support our policy of neutrality and that the Nice treaty and all other EU treaties do not affect Ireland’s policy of military neutrality,” he said. The position will remain whereby Irish troops can only serve abroad on peacekeeping missions when it is with the support of both the Government and the Dáil and it is under a specific mandate of the United Nations, he said. The right to vote on any attempt to enter into a common defence arrangement will be inserted into the Constitution as a new provision if the referendum is passed, according to Mr Cowen.
“Ireland has a proud tradition of serving on many UN missions abroad. Neutrality is an issue that concerns many Irish people. And that’s why the revised proposal now before the people provides two new safeguards to ensure that it is the Irish people alone who will decide on the future of our neutrality. We have ensured that the necessary reassurances have been given to the Irish people on this issue,” he said.
As her official State visit to Malaysia drew to a close, President Mary McAleese said she hoped people would come out and vote in the referendum. She said voting was one of the greatest human rights to have.