Neutral view of visiting warship

BEFORE Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD starts screaming about violation of our neutrality (Irish Examiner, June 6), he should find out what neutrality means. It means not being biased — in other words, not taking sides and being able to see both points of view, which he clearly cannot.

As a neutral country, we have certain obligations and, under international law, any vessel, naval or otherwise, is entitled to enter any neutral port for peaceful purposes.

The British warship HMS Ocean was here on a trade promotion visit, just as our warships visit other ports for the same purpose.

I don’t recall Mr Ó Snodaigh complaining about neutrality violations when our warships were in other neutral ports. Perhaps he has forgotten that trade means revenue, which in turn creates jobs for our people, and if such visits generate revenue for Ireland, then we should welcome them instead of using them as an excuse for bashing Brits or Yanks.

Aidan Sweeney

Ballingeary

Macroom

Co Cork.