Ireland signs 60 million euro military contract

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday January 20, 2003 23:18 by Lisbeth Kirk

Throughout the Nice Treaty campaign the government declared that Irish neutrality was intact and not influenced by the ongoing militarisation of the EU, while the No-side feared erosion of the country's traditional neutrality.

Irish Defence Minister Michael Smiths has announced the signing of a 60 million euro contract for 8 Pilatus PC-9M military aircraft for the Air Corps. This aircraft is one recommended and endorsed by NATO.

The move was strongly criticised by Sinn Féin spokesperson on International Affairs Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, who said the purchase of Military Aircraft suggested further moves to erode Irish neutrality and bring Ireland closer to NATO.

Nice Treaty statements on neutrality
"Throughout the Nice Treaty campaign we listened to statement after statement from government spokespersons telling us that our neutrality was intact and not influenced by the ongoing militarisation of the EU", he said.

"The last two Nice referenda proved that Irish people value Irish neutrality. If the Government intends to change this policy, in the interest of accountability and transparency they must put their case to the people, not shift their policy incrementally and by stealth," Mr Ó Snodaigh said. He called on the government to clarify their true position on Irish neutrality and to ensure there is a full public debate on this issue and an opportunity for the people to have the final say by way of a referendum.

Slovenia purchased the same aircraft
The Pilatus PC-9M is on the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NMSA) AECMA list and can be used either for training or for 'light attack'. The Pilatus PC-PM is the very aircraft that Slovenia purchased as a measure to improve its aircraft and air defence capabilities in order to bring it into line with NATO standards, in support of its bid for NATO membership.