‘Ireland’s ill-defined idea of neutrality’

Sir, – Stephen Collins in his recent opinion piece highlighted an apparent contradiction in two poll findings whereby an Irish Times/Ipsos poll had found that only 35 per cent of persons polled had favoured providing military aid to Ukraine but an EU poll found that 77 per cent of Irish people supported the EU providing military assistance to Ukraine (“Time to re-examine Ireland’s ill-defined idea of neutrality”, Opinion & Analysis, May 27th).

However, this apparent contradiction can be explained by the fact that the Irish Times/IPSOS poll directly linked the provision of military aid to our neutral status by asking if the aid should be provided “even if it affects our neutrality”.

This link should never have been made as it is quite possible to remain neutral while providing military assistance, as was demonstrated by the US when it provided warships to Britain at the outset of the second World War, under the lend-lease agreement, when remaining ostensibly neutral.

If the Irish Times/IPSOS had asked “Should Ireland provide military aid to Ukraine that does not affect our neutrality?” or simply “Should Ireland provide military aid to Ukraine?”, then I suggest that the poll findings would be aligned.

I am that deeply suspect Irish creature, a mother of an only child. It was by choice

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It is, however, noteworthy that 35 per cent of Irish persons were prepared to sacrifice our neutral status, even though this is not required, to provide military assistance to Ukraine.

Any military assistance we could provide would be limited in nature, but that is not a reason not to provide assistance, as otherwise that widow should have held onto her mite. – Yours, etc,

PAUL WALSH,

Skerries,

Co Dublin.

Sir, – Stephen Collins is trying to subtly change the goalposts on the issue of Irish neutrality by stating that, “The immediate issue is what role Ireland should play in EU defence”.

Joining an EU defence is in reality almost the same as joining Nato as all but four EU countries – Austria, Malta, Cyprus and Ireland – are either full members of Nato or, like Sweden and Finland, are applying for membership.

Maintaining our model of military neutrality in a Nato-dominated EU military defence alliance, when the edges are blurred between both, would prove impossible. – Yours, etc,

BRENDAN

BUTLER,

Drumcondra,

Dublin 9.