Dáil vote on Shannon ended our neutrality

IN a letter to the Irish Examiner published on October 21, Foreign Minister Brian Cowen again claims that Irish neutrality was not compromised by Irish involvement in the war against Iraq. He has a point.

Irish neutrality was not compromised. It was formally ended on March 20 last when the Dáil voted to allow US troops and munitions to travel to war against Iraq through Shannon airport.

Mr Cowen cites the Dáil resolution supporting the Government’s decision on the use of Shannon as if this makes the decision to participate in the killing of innocent people all right.