Dáil must debate our moral stance

Before applying for membership of the United Nations, then Taoiseach Eamon de Valera warned the Dáil that this country should be fully prepared to support a war to enforce the obligations of the UN Charter.

"If there is ever to be a rule of law," he said, "nations must make up their minds that they will take part in such enforcement."

This country was lucky to avoid involvement in the Second World War. In his victory address following the surrender of Germany, Winston Churchill bragged that Britain's decision not to seize Irish bases showed "a