Letters to the Editor: Obligation to keep peace in Constitution 

'The statement by the Department of Foreign affairs that Ireland plays a leading role in disarmament issues is patently not true'

Elon Musk appears to make a fascist-style salute during celebrations of the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. Picture: The Guardian/YouTube

Promoting disarmament is cited as one of five signature policies for Ireland by the Department of Foreign Affairs, and is a wonderful continuation of Frank Aiken’s great work for peace in the UN in the 1950s. His outstanding work there led to the creation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The commitments under this treaty include not to make or acquire nuclear weapons, and to further the goal of nuclear and complete disarmament.

As a member of the EU, one would hope that in our troubled world, Ireland would proudly uphold Frank Aiken’s legacy. Although the government website continues to state that “Ireland continues to play a leading role in efforts to promote disarmament, non-proliferation and the regulation of new weapons”, unfortunately, this is not what is happening. In relation to making or acquiring nuclear weapons, France possesses its own nuclear weapons, and under Nato’s nuclear sharing plan, four EU countries host US nuclear weapons on their soil.