Paul Murphy: US Military Flights at Shannon Threaten Neutrality
Paul Murphy warns that the rivalry between the declining power of the United States and the rising power of China is the backdrop to recent wars and interventions. He highlights daily US military flights through Shannon Airport and calls for the defence of Irish neutrality and the triple lock.
Key argument: Paul Murphy argues that global great-power competition shapes contemporary conflicts and that Ireland is being pulled into a US-led camp. He says this shift endangers Ireland's military neutrality and undermines public trust in national safeguards like the triple lock.
Shannon Airport: Murphy points to the regular movement of US military aircraft via Shannon and asks whether the State has investigated the destination and purpose of those flights. He urges Ireland to follow other European states and stop allowing foreign military use of Irish airports.
Peacekeeping and decision-making: Murphy rejects the idea that any foreign power should hold veto over Irish participation in peacekeeping. He argues for greater national freedom for the Oireachtas and the government to decide on peacekeeping missions, noting dysfunction at the UN Security Council.
Public response and consequences: Murphy notes that people will be on the streets at 1pm on Saturday demanding protection of neutrality. He frames the issue as both a matter of principle and a practical step to avoid becoming complicit in US-led wars.
Key argument: Paul Murphy argues that global great-power competition shapes contemporary conflicts and that Ireland is being pulled into a US-led camp. He says this shift endangers Ireland's military neutrality and undermines public trust in national safeguards like the triple lock.
Shannon Airport: Murphy points to the regular movement of US military aircraft via Shannon and asks whether the State has investigated the destination and purpose of those flights. He urges Ireland to follow other European states and stop allowing foreign military use of Irish airports.
Peacekeeping and decision-making: Murphy rejects the idea that any foreign power should hold veto over Irish participation in peacekeeping. He argues for greater national freedom for the Oireachtas and the government to decide on peacekeeping missions, noting dysfunction at the UN Security Council.
Public response and consequences: Murphy notes that people will be on the streets at 1pm on Saturday demanding protection of neutrality. He frames the issue as both a matter of principle and a practical step to avoid becoming complicit in US-led wars.
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Transcript
Thanks. The backdrop to the wars and the genocides and the interventions that we've seen over the past couple of years is the rivalry between the declining power of the US and the rising emerging power of China. That's the context in which you have tried very vigorously to draw Ireland in more and more openly into the US-led NATO camp. We can see now in terms of the war crimes being committed in Iran what that means. It's why the vast majority of people defend our neutrality, want to protect our triple lock and don't want to see us involved in US-led wars. It's why people will be on the streets at one o'clock on Saturday demanding the protection of our neutrality. The rubber hits the road when it comes to the question of Shannon Airport. You said when you were in the US that there is no strong evidence that Trump is using Shannon Airport to pursue the war in Iran. What's wrong? What do you mean by that? Have you inspected any of the planes? Have you evidence about each of the military? I mean every single day there's US military planes going through Shannon. Where do you think they're going? They mightn't be going directly to Iran, they're going to the Ramsfields in Germany and then on from there into the Middle East. It's time to follow the example of other European countries, some of which are even NATO members, and stop allowing the US to use our airports. Again, we are committed to military neutrality. We're not joining any military alliance and I think that Deputy Murphy is wrong in endeavouring to use the triple lock amendments. I don't believe Russia should have a veto on whether we involve ourselves in the peacekeeping operation or not. I don't believe the United States should have a veto. I don't believe China should have a veto on whether or not we participate in peacekeeping missions. I think the Doyle, the Oireachtas should and the government of today because it's utterly ridiculous that we, and the problem is the UN Security Council is paralysed. It's not functioning. It is dysfunctional and that is a big problem for the world but that's the reality of it and in terms of peacekeeping we should have a greater freedom. That's all we're saying. We're not getting involved in any wars Sorry, we're not, no it's a dishonest, it is so dishonest to say that we are not involved in any war, they're not using our airport for the war.