Neutrality dishonest and a sham, says FG politician

Irish neutrality was "dishonest" and "something of a sham", Fine Gael representative at the National Forum on Europe Charles Flanagan told a forum session in Dublin Castle yesterday.

The former Laois-Offaly TD, who is standing again in the next general election, said he agreed "wholeheartedly" with a recommendation from Canon Adrian Empey of the Church of Ireland for a national debate on the issue.

Mr Flanagan urged a "fundamental change" in neutrality policy, "which in essence is, and has been, something of a sham and has been a dishonest stance in many respects".

Canon Empey's proposal also found favour, for different reasons, with Sinn Féin Dublin city councillor Daithí Doolan, who said: "We must be neutral, but positively and proactively neutral." In his forum submission, Canon Empey said the situation had changed since the policy was first enunciated, and the time had come for a "national debate in the Republic on the meaning and purpose of neutrality". The policy was a "sacred cow" and, over the years, there had been "no consistency" in its application.

Paddy McGuinness, of Concern, said funds for development aid were under threat in the EU. "The softest budget in Europe is the development budget."

He said it was "disgraceful" that 92 per cent of Italian development aid was being spent in Italy, whereas 100 per cent of Irish aid was spent overseas.

Brian Hanratty, of the Community Foundation for Ireland, criticised the use of the terms "eastern Europe" and "east European" in referring to people coming from the new member states. These terms, "often used in a derogatory fashion", were politically redundant as well as geographically inaccurate.

Maria Cronin, of Ibec, said the business community regarded the EU constitutional treaty as a "good proposal" and, despite some reservations, "a good deal for Ireland". There should be a "single voice" at commission level on external relations and trade, as the present division of responsibilities into different briefs could appear disjointed. The business community was positively disposed to further European enlargement.

An Alliance Party submission presented by party leader David Ford said the best future for Northern Ireland was as "an integrated region within a deepening and widening European Union".

Regions were becoming "major players" in the EU. "Both regions of Ireland must therefore be positive about engaging with Europe. We must be prepared to lift our horizons."

Adopting the euro instead of sterling would have significant advantages for Northern Ireland, bringing "net benefits to local businesses via the creation of greater economic certainty and confidence".