Mitchell calls for openness on security issues

The Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs has predicted that Ireland may have to consider joining NATO.

Mr Gay Mitchell told delegates to his party's ardfheis last night that for too long the State had taken decisions out of fear. "We are a confident people, able and honest. We must reject dishonesty in public life, whether it is of the variety where those who come to ministers' offices to discuss policy bring cheque books with them or whether it is deliberately being dishonest with the electorate about issues of public policy."

Fianna Fail's position on Partnership for Peace fell in to the latter category. "But let us be even more honest, more open on security issues. Our signature on the Good Friday Agreement may, in time, bring with it security, defence, policy and/or defence commitments. Lifford is in neutral Ireland, across the bridge Strabane has been in NATO since 1949. This is a reality we not only must recognise but must respect. If unionists call our bluff and ask for an All-Ireland institution to deal with these issues, are we to say no? "Our membership of the EU may, in time, present similar questions.

"Should that be the case, let us approach the issue not out of fear, but with confidence, defined policies, openness and a spirit which says no nation is an island. We have common concerns on this island, within these islands and throughout Europe. We have no principled reason to behave on security issues like irredentist DUP hardliners do on other issues. We must be capable of discussion, openly and without fear."

Mr Mitchell said his mind was open on future security, defence policy and defence issues, and he would not close his mind without hearing all of the arguments.

"We must define what role we want for Ireland in the evolving European security architecture, and we must define what role we want for Europe. Leaving this issue to other European states, and then reacting to their decisions is unworthy and not in our best interests. Not only must we be part of the changing European security architecture, we must be one of the architects. For the love and pride of our State, not for the pots of money, or the promises of subsidies. Unlike former Fianna Fail ministers, we are not a kept people".

Mr Mitchell said no cogent argument, based on sustainable principals, had been put forward which supported non-participation in Partnership for Peace. "At last we have succeeded in dragging Fianna Fail, kicking and screaming, into admitting that we have been right on this policy, and consistently right, and we have shown that their attempts to prey on the hoped-for fears of people have failed."

He added that, similarly, it was time to examine the role of the State in overseas development. For years, Irish missionaries and NGOs had put the State to shame by their selfless commitment, unmatched by political commitment, to the needs of the Third World.

He said the party would shortly set out specific commitments to put Ireland's resources, authority and clout behind those whose life's work was devoted to overseas development.

Foreign policy, said Mr Mitchell, was not about selling passports in dubious circumstances, and in large quantities, to wealthy families of foreigners who had no pride in Ireland and no affinity with it. "The sort of Irish citizens who think Limerick is a type of humorous poem with five lines."

The party's spokesman on the environment, Mr Alan Dukes, said Fine Gael recognised the world was constantly changing. "New problems emerge. New conflicts arise. The UN has to adapt to those changes. We, too, have to adapt if we wish to continue to contribute to UN operations. That is one of the reasons why we in Fine Gael have advocated Irish membership of the Partnership for Peace."

Mr Dukes said Ireland could also gain by improving its capacity to co-operate with other nations in such areas as search and rescue operations, maritime patrolling and others.