Sir, – Nato refuses to defend Ukraine because doing so would involve conflict with the aggressor and potential escalation to a world war.
Ireland is the only “neutral” nation on Europe’s western seaboard. Some weeks ago Russian warships were assembled off our west coast, If these warships steamed into Bantry, Limerick, Galway or Killybegs we would be helpless, and Nato would refuse help for the same reason they are standing by while Ukraine is plundered.
Our neutrality is no protection against an aggressor; it is a very significant risk factor and we need to wake up to that now, not consider it at some point in future, as suggested by the Taoiseach. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL FOLAN,
Donegal.
Sir, – Seamus Murphy is quite right (Opinion & Analysis, March 7th) that Irish neutrality, as practised by Irish governments in recent times, has been immoral.
To back the US’s warmaking in Afghanistan and Iraq, with the massive loss of life and destruction involved, through the US military use of Shannon Airport is unforgiveable.
Ireland should be much more active in developing a positive neutrality and, perhaps, if a guarantee of neutrality by Ukraine had been made, then Vladimir Putin would not have felt he had enough of an excuse to launch his murderous invasion of that country.
While many are rushing in a militarist direction, there is a need for cool heads and work to head-off violent conflict in future. That is a positive role for Irish neutrality which polls have consistently shown as by far the preferred option by citizens; it needs to be developed considerably, not cast aside. – Yours, etc,
ROB FAIRMICHAEL,
Belfast.
Sir, – Clare Daly, MEP for Dublin, accuses the EU of “accelerating the conflict” in Ukraine, rejects the notion that the war in Ukraine is “somehow the result of a despot in the form of Putin”, and opposes EU military aid as “utter lunacy”.
So Clare Daly and Mick Wallace know what’s best for Ukraine, and not the Ukrainian people themselves? The arrogance is astounding and would be comical if it was not so tragic in its consequences.
I trust that in the 2024 European Parliament elections, the people of Dublin and Ireland South will know what’s best for Ms Daly and Mr Wallace. – Yours, etc,
RORY O’SULLIVAN,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Frank McNally's perceptive and amusing take on the Orwellian aspect of the topography of the Russian embassy in Dublin (An Irishman's Diary, March 4th) prompts another possible thought. Even if only a token gesture to the extraordinary courage of President Zelenskiy as a champion of independence and democracy, it would be an extraordinary signal of solidarity from the Irish people for Dublin City Council to rename the stretch of Orwell Road which contains the Russian embassy as Zelenskiy Prospect. – Yours,etc,
DESMOND O’NEILL,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Ireland’s neutrality stems from a different era and a desire to avoid a war between third parties but it was never understood as a refusal to defend ourselves.
Today Ireland is a member state of the European Union. Together with our fellow EU citizens, we have created an EU single market, the euro common currency, many of our laws are created through the European Parliament and adjudicated on by the EU courts. All of these institutions and systems were all created by us and belong to us – these are the foundations of our society.
In addition, our food and goods come from the integrated EU economy, our students study in universities across the EU, and citizens from all over the EU are now our neighbours, friends, colleagues and family members.
A commitment to defend the EU and to participate in a common EU defence is merely a commitment to defend ourselves, our interests and our families.
If we are unwilling to defend the EU, we are unwilling to defend ourselves. – Yours, etc,
DAVID GEARY,
Limerick.
Sir, – I still have my six “Potassium Iodate Tablets BP 85mg”. It states on the packet that they are “for emergency use only in the event of a nuclear accident” As I have had no cause to use them, thanks be to God, I’m just wondering are they still safe to use given that there is no “use by” date on the packet. – Yours, etc,
C McNAMARA,
Templeogue,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – Let the Russian ambassador know we have not become blinded by anger, no matter how justified it may be. The truth is we know the majority of Russian people did not want this war, do not support it and the majority of Russian troops have been misinformed and lied to. While we enjoy the privileges of free speech, independent media and democratic freedoms, we are well aware that the ordinary Russians, civilian or military, do not. So let not the Russian ambassador benefit from our belief in free speech to propagate the lie that the people of Ireland are in some way anti-Russian. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN COSTELLO,
Ogonnolloe,
Co Clare.
Sir, – I do not see the incredible Irish support for Ukraine through the same lens as Jennifer O'Connell ("When middle-class white people are being bombed we pay attention", Opinion & Analysis, March 5th). Why is it a "colonial trope", racist, or classist to support fellow Europeans? – Yours, etc,
CHRISSIE BYRNE,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.