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Ireland's role in an uncertain world

Thu, Mar 12, 2026

I believe it is imperative in order for Ireland to adhere to its constitutional obligation that it pursues an independent foreign and military policy, at the UN, and at meetings of the EU. This is possible, and we see many larger EU countries acting unilaterally on foreign and defence policy when it suits them.

Already it is constitutionally forbidden for Ireland to join a mandatory EU defence pact, and my view is that it is against the spirit of the Constitution (if not the letter of the law) to voluntarily become part of any common defence arrangements on a case-by-case basis. An example of this is the so-called “Coalition of the Willing”.

So, the question arises: What policies should we adopt?

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