Independent for Clare Michael McNamara has told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that Ireland has a role to play as a neutral, non-aligned state with regards to the war in Ukraine. He urged the European Union to be “a force for peace in the world” by bringing about a peaceful end to the conflict.
The Clare TD was speaking as the German politician addressed the Dáil, with her visit to Dublin prompting politicians here to reflect on and raise issues with Ireland’s relationship with the EU. While the day did not provide an opportunity for questions from the media, opposition politicians had a chance to respond to the EU chief’s comments in the Dáil.
During her commendatory address in Dáil Eireann, von der Leyen quoted former Taoiseach Jack Lynch and former president Mary Robinson. She called on Ireland to retain its sense of “stubbornness” and “resolve” to “keep supporting Ukraine as long as it takes and to break free from our dependency on Russia Fossil Fuels”.
“We need your stubbornness,” the EU chief told the joint sitting, as she highlighted how Ireland “has gone above and beyond to support Ukraine” in the glowing address.
“Our support to Ukraine must continue for as long as it takes until Ukrainians fully recover what Russia has tried to take from them: their freedom, a saoirse”.
Opposition politician Michael McNamara was among those to challenge von der Leyen. He outlined the role of neutral, non-aligned states, including Ireland, in bringing about a peaceful end to conflict, and asked that this position should be reflected in EU policy.
McNamara admitted that ‘wars very rarely end in unconditional surrender’ as he urged caution, adding that Ireland has always been “avowedly neutral”.
“I join my colleagues in welcoming President von der Leyen in the building in which we have sat for the past 100 years, each year of which has been as a neutral state,” he said.
“The Taoiseach is correct that we have been proud Europeans for 50 years. We have been proud Europeans for much longer than 50 years.
“It is worth recalling that our initial attempt at accession was blocked as part of the power play between bigger states. For all of our proudness in being Europeans we have been avowedly neutral throughout,” McNamara added.
“The Taoiseach paid tribute to Lynch and Hillery who led our accession to the European Union. It is worth recalling that even when our own citizens were under attack by military forces and paramilitary forces backed by a state in a part of our island that we then considered part of our territory, they eschewed a military solution for a diplomatic one.
“They engaged in quiet diplomacy and not bombast. There is a difference. Their approach was vindicated subsequently”.
Outlining to EC President Ursula von der Leyen the role of neutral, non-aligned States, like Ireland, in bringing about a peaceful end to conflict, I asked that this position be reflected in EU policy. pic.twitter.com/5i1BqHmiut
— Michael McNamara TD (@MlMcNamaraTD) December 1, 2022
“It is easy to fan the flames of war, it is easy to engage in jingoism, but wars very rarely end in unconditional surrender”.
“Instead,” he said, wars are “brought to an end by people who engage in painful and painstaking negotiation with people and forces with whom they profoundly disagree because they believe in the greater goal of peace.
“I ask that the European Union be a force for peace in the world, as it was founded to be,” he concluded.
The Clare politician was inundated with support for his comments, with many praising McNamara for representing a view they themselves held on the matter. Many said it was a position of “common sense”, expressing the view that Ireland does have a contribution it can make to peace.
Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú, was in agreement, tweeting:
Well done Michael. https://t.co/QAPsRUucFB
— Peadar Tóibín TD (@Toibin1) December 1, 2022
Meanwhile, National Review writer Michael Brendan Dougherty praised how, finally, someone was speaking up for Ireland’s tradition of neutrality, “and the value that provides a world clamoring for conflict”.
Finally someone speaks up for his state's tradition of neutrality, and the value that provides a world clamoring for conflict. https://t.co/HAxyOImoxc
— Michael Brendan Dougherty (@michaelbd) December 1, 2022
Deputy Mattie McGrath, another Independent, also took the opportunity of the joint sitting to challenge von der Leyen, as he highlighted homelessness, the crisis in healthcare, and the “limits on what we can do with regard to migration from other countries”.
“President von der Leyen mentioned we are a beacon of light. Yes, we were and are, but the candle and flame have been quenched in many homes and houses,” the Tipperary TD said.
“We have homeless people and a situation with our healthcare. We have welcomed many Ukrainians from the horrible war.
“We have limits as to what we can do with regard to migration from all other countries. Some countries in Europe have ceased and put a pause on it. We have to cut our cloth according to our measure. This is Ireland of a thousand welcomes, of course, and President von der Leyen is welcome today, but we need to be respected for who we are, what our are people are and our sovereignty,” he said.