Madam, - It seems strange that Andy Storey (February 1st) objects to Irish troops serving in a EU mission to assist refugees from Darfur who happen to be located in Chad. This mission has a UN mandate and has been approved by the Dáil, as is required by the "triple lock" of our current foreign policy. Andy Storey and others have objected in the past to EU defence initiatives because they would erode such a triple lock; it now seems they also object to missions agreed by that method. If the Dáil has no right to send troops on missions with a UN mandate, then who does?
Of course it is easy to ascribe guilt by association. Just because there are objections to the government of Chad does not mean a humanitarian mission to assist Darfur refugees should not be based in Chad. Refugees normally seek assistance in the nearest safe place. Should the suffering of these refugees in Chad be ignored because of the government of that country? Such a policy would rule out assistance for millions of refugees around the world.
The potential danger and instability in the region are matters of concern but to somehow suggest that the level of danger should influence whether there should be a mission or whether Irish troops should partake is perverse.
It is, of course, a factor but if such considerations were to determine the question it would be a charter for human rights abuse on a grand scale, as countries would intervene only where the risk was minimal. If we are concerned for human rights and potential genocide we cannot give such a licence to those who feel they are powerful and untouchable.
The Lisbon Treaty is irrelevant to this mission as it has been approved under the current treaties. Irish participation in such missions is and will remain totally voluntary and their authorisation will continues to be by unanimity.
- Yours, etc,
MICHAEL McLOUGHLIN, Riverwood Heath, Castleknock, Dublin 15.
A chara, - It is incorrect to assert that the Lisbon Treaty will not bring Ireland into an EU common defence policy (Senator Lisa McDonald, January 26th).
The treaty creates an EU common defence policy. Article 11 states that "the Union's competence in matters of common foreign and security policy shall cover all areas of foreign policy and all questions relating to the Union's security, including the progressive framing of a common defence policy that might lead to a common defence".
The Lisbon Treaty also obliges Ireland to increase its military spending in the EU. Article 28 states that "Member States shall undertake progressively to improve their military capabilities".
The outcome of these articles is clear: to bind all member-states to a single EU foreign, security and defence policy. There is no doubt that the Lisbon Treaty contains the most extensive erosion of Ireland's neutrality and control over foreign policy to date.
- Is mise,
MARY LOU McDONALD MEP, (Sinn Féin), Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
Madam, - Chris Andrews (February 1st ) asks: "If the next president of the European Council is Irish, wouldn't we be proud?". If by this he means Bertie Ahern, the answer is an emphatic No.
- Yours, etc,
JARLATH MOLLOY, Stanford Road, London W8.
Madam, - The Taoiseach has called for a "fair, accurate and balanced" debate on the Lisbon Treaty. However, at the National Forum on Europe on Thursday, referring to some members of the No camp, he said: "If that is what they believe, then I think that they are insane". This is hardly the language of reasoned argument.
- Yours, etc,
JOHN M ROGERS, Main Street, Mohill, Co Leitrim.