Activists from a variety of groups are set to protest in the city tonight and tomorrow as University of Galway plans to host the Government’s Consultative Forum on International Security Policy.
News of the protests is expected to result in high security on the campus for the event which will be addressed by Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Micheál Martin among others.
The Forum opens today Thursday June 22 in Cork, before coming to University of Galway, and then moving on to Dublin Castle for two days, Monday and Tuesday, June 26 and 27.
The Forum spokespeople have said that it aims to build public understanding and generate discussions on Ireland’s foreign, security and defence policies.
It will focus on a wide range of issues, including Ireland’s efforts to protect the rules-based international order through peacekeeping and crisis management, international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention and peacebuilding as well as allowing for a discussion on Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
However, many groups feel that the event is merely a softening of Ireland's stance on neutrality. Tonight Thursday June 22 at 7.30pm, there will be a peace event, Neutrality Not NATO, at Spanish Arch. It will be addressed by MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, as well as local TDs Independent Deputy Catherine Connolly and Sinn Féin’s Mairéad Farrell.
Throughout the 20th century Irish neutrality served the country well and gave us a special status globally. We must return to embracing fully “the principle of the pacific settlement of international disputes” as set out in Article 29 of Bunreacht na hÉireann.
All four days are open to the public and will involve panel discussions with civilian and military experts and practitioners. The Forum is being live streamed and people can have their say on the issues being discussed by using the public consultation process.
