Keep Ireland Neutral: Statement on the presidential election

Keep Ireland Neutral has issued the following statement in relation to the voting for President of Ireland, taking place on Friday, October 24

Irish peace groups unite in support of Catherine Connolly’s stance on Peace, Irish Neutrality, the Constitution (particularly Article 29), and the Triple Lock.

Upon taking office, the president of Ireland swears an oath to “maintain the Constitution of Ireland and uphold its laws” (Article 12.8). Article 13 makes clear that the President can affect policy only under the direction of the Dáil and the Taoiseach.

However, recent presidents have demonstrated how the office can influence public life by reminding officials and the public of the principles enshrined in our Constitution. Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese, and Michael D. Higgins have each acted as a much-valued national conscience in matters of social justice and peace.

We believe Catherine Connolly will continue this important presidential tradition of taking our Constitution seriously. Throughout her career, Catherine has been steadfast in upholding the principles of Article 29, namely:

The ideal of peace and friendly co-operation among nations founded on international justice and morality;
The principle of the pacific settlement of international disputes by international arbitration or judicial determination; and
The generally recognised principles of international law.

For these reasons, she has consistently campaigned for Irish neutrality and in defence of the Triple Lock, which ensures that Irish Defence Forces serve abroad only under missions mandated by the United Nations.

Catherine understands both how and why the Irish people value our role as UN peacekeepers – and why we do not wish to be dragged, by Micheál Martin or others, into any “Coalition of the Willing” on behalf of the EU or NATO.

Ireland’s peace groups support Connolly’s presidential bid because she is the only candidate who has demonstrated a commitment to maintaining the Constitution in matters of peace, and who will work to uphold Ireland’s “adherence to the principle of the pacific settlement of international disputes by international arbitration or judicial determination.”