Neutrality as the Basis of Statehood and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Ireland

Authors

  • Marianna Marusynets Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor of the Department of History and Social Disciplines, Senior Researcher of the Tivodor Legocki Research Center, Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute named after F. Rákóczi II Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7366-9328

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31861/mediaforum.2025.16.218-239

Keywords:

neutrality, Republic of Ireland, EU, UK, security, independence, UN, NATO

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the phenomenon of Irish sovereignty as the foundation of statehood and foreign policy strategy of the Republic of Ireland in the context of global political transformations of the 20th–21st centuries. It is argued that the policy of neutrality of the Republic of Ireland has a rich history. It helps the country to avoid participation in military conflicts and influences international events. Ireland is not a member of military alliances and mutual defense agreements, which allows it to maintain independence. The EU and international partners respect the sovereignty and neutrality of Ireland, which is confirmed by legal guarantees provided in 2009. Ireland’s decision on neutrality was made after the struggle for independence and tense relations with the UK. Commitment to neutrality is not permanent, and its meaning continues to be reconsidered. Ireland’s increased participation in peacekeeping missions and integration into the EU have drawn attention to its neutrality. However, some aspects of EU integration raise concerns, especially the EU’s common foreign and security policy.

It is shown that Irish neutrality has been the subject of debate and different interpretations since its inception. Ireland has traditionally followed a policy of neutrality, which is a historical tradition, not an obligation, as in the case of Austria. The policy of non-intervention in international relations was formed before the creation of the Irish Republic in 1948, when Ireland left the British Commonwealth. This decision was due to the desire of the Irish people to avoid involvement in British military conflicts, as well as the desire to gain independence and sovereignty from British rule. Irish neutrality is not enshrined in the constitution and has no official interpretation, but it is felt and real. After centuries of political oppression and repression by Britain, the Irish sought independence and self-determination. The idea was to pursue a policy different from the British in order to emphasize the uniqueness of the country. With the outbreak of World War II, neutrality began to be associated with the struggle for freedom. In the context of global political transformations of the 21st century, Proponents of the idea that it is impossible to maintain neutrality argue that the involvement of the Republic of Ireland in international relations excludes the possibility of maintaining neutrality. However, this approach does not take into account the changing geopolitical situation and the opinion of the Irish, who continue to consider their country neutral.

It has been established that the Republic of Ireland is actively involved in international politics, being a member of the UN and a participant in the NATO Partnership for Peace program. It allowed the United States to use one of its airports for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Irish forces participated in UN peacekeeping missions. The liveliest discussions concern Ireland’s relationship with the EU. It has been proven that the Irish are worried about losing independence and neutrality, despite a positive attitude towards EU membership. Fear of losing sovereignty and neutrality affects public opinion. The position of most politicians has changed, not coinciding with public opinion. The last real supporter of neutrality was I. de Valera, who presented this concept as official. Currently, the vast majority of Irish people support neutrality.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation in NATO. 2023. NATO.February 27. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_48895.htm

2. Aunesluoma, J., Rainio-Niemi J. 2016. Neutrality as Identity? Finland’s Quest for Security in the Cold War. Journal of Cold War Studies, 18 (4), 51-78. URL: https://doi.org/10.1162/JCWS_a_00680

3. Benefits of EU membership for Ireland. 2025. European Commission Representation in Ireland. February, 7. https://ireland.representation.ec.europa.eu/about-us/benefits-eu-membership-ireland_en

4. Carthy, M. 2023. Neutrality: Motion [Private Members]. Dáil Éireann debate, 1046(4), November 28. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2023-11-28/17

5. Consultative Forum Programme. 2023. Department of Foreign Affairs. November 7. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39289-consultative-forum-program me/

6. Devine, K. 2011. Neutrality and the development of the European Union’s common security and defence policy: Compatible or competing? Cooperation and Conflict. 46(3), 334-369.

7. Devine, K. 2020. Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament in Irish Foreign Policy. New Zealand International Review, 45 (4), 11-15. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48594703

8. Devine, K. 2006. Public opinion and Irish neutrality: a theoretical and empirical test of the ‘rational public. PhD dissertation. Dublin : University of Dublin, Trinity College.

9. Devine, K. 2008. Stretching the IR Theoretical Spectrum on Irish Neutrality: A Critical Social Constructivist Framework. International Political Science Review, 29(4), 461-488.

10. Devine, K. 2024. The Resilience of Irish Neutrality. E-International Relations. July 9 2024. https://www.e-ir.info/2024/07/09/the-resilience-of-irish-neutrality/

11. Dinnen, C. 2022. UK initiates plan to override Northern Ireland Protocol – what you need to know. ITV News. June 13. https://www.itv.com/news/2022-06-13/uk-initiates-plan-to-override-northern-ireland-protocol-what-you-need-to-know

12. Donald, D. 2002. Neutrality, Impartiality and UN Peacekeeping at the Beginning of the 21st Century. International Peacekeeping, 9(4), 21-38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/714002776

13. Emmot, R., Siebold, S. 2022. Finland, Sweden sign to join NATO but need ratification. Reuters. July 5. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-sweden-sign-protocol-join-nato-still-need-ratification-2022-07-05/

14. Fanning, R. 1982. Irish Neutrality: An Historical Review. Irish Studies in International Affairs, 1(3), 27–38. http://www.jstor.org/stable/30001722

15. Finn, C. 2017. We’re being asked to sell out our neutrality: Government accused of trying to rush EU defence deal vote. The Journal. December, 7. https://www.thejournal.ie/eu-army-pesco-3734034-Dec2017/

16. Gannon, C. 2023. Ireland Should Resist the Pressure to Join the Western Military Bloc. Jacobin. July, 19. https://jacobin.com/2023/07/ireland-nonalignment-neutrality-nato-us-european-union-war-foreign-policy

17. Government announces move to transform the Defence Forces and the largest increase in the Defence budget in the history of the State. 2022. Department of the Taoiseach. July 18. URL: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b3c91-government-transform-defence-forces-largest-increase-defence-budget-in-history-of-state/

18. Hood, L. 2020. What Sinn Féin’s election success means for Irish relations with the EU – and Brexit. The Coversation. February, 13. https://theconversation.com/what-sinn-feins-election-success-means-for-irish-relations-with-the-eu-and-brexit-131507

19. Howlin, G. 2023. Is Europe beckoning for Micheál Martin?: The Tánaiste’s next role could be in Brussels – or in coalition with SF. The Irish Times. May 24. https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2023/05/24/is-europe-beckoning-micheal-martin/

20. International Security Policy. 2025. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/role-policies/international-priorities/peace-and-security/international-security-policy/

21. Keatinge, P. 1984. A Singular Stance: Irish Neutrality in the 1980’s. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration, 1984. 162 p.

22. Leahy, P. 2022. Irish neutrality needs to ‘evolve’ in response to Ukraine war, Taoiseach says. The Irish Times. April, 10. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/irish-neutrality-needs-to-evolve-in-response-to-ukraine-war-taoiseach-says-1.4849479

23. McNally, E. 2019. James Connolly, a Socialist for the Present. Jacobin. September, 19. https://jacobin.com/2019/09/james-connolly-john-mcdonnell-irish-in dependence

24. McNamara, E. 2022. Evolving Irish Neutrality: Military Opportunities and Political Obstacles. The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). July, 15. https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/evolving-irish-neutrality-military-opportunities-and-political-obstacles

25. Murphy, S. 2023. Irish ministers under pressure to clarify ‘secret deal’ for RAF to defend Ireland’s airspace in an emergency. Sky News. May, 14. https://news.sky.com/story/irish-ministers-under-pressure-to-clarify-secret-deal-for-raf-to-defend-irelands-airspace-in-an-emergency-12879084

26. Neal, J. 2006. Choosing to Go It Alone: Irish Neutrality in Theoretical and Comparative Perspective. Sage Journals, 27(1). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/ 10.1177/0192512106058624

27. O’Carroll, S. 2013. British and Irish forces in historic joint mission to Mali. The Journal. February, 13, https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-british-army-mali-794335-Feb2013/

28. O’Leary, N. 2022. Ireland would not need a referendum to join NATO, says Taoiseach. Irish Times. June, 8. https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2022/06/08/ireland-would-not-need-referendum-to-join-nato-says-taoiseach/

29. Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. 2022. Commission on the Defence Forces of Ireland. February. https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/221085/6a8d1ccb-9cd1-4612-b109-2387c3369b1a.pdf

30. Ryan, B. 2023. Balancing Defence and Neutrality: Ireland’s Foreign Policy and the Middle East. Green European Journal. December, 19. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/balancing-defence-and-neutrality-irelands-foreign-policy-and-the-middle-east/

31. Schwanberg, P. 2012. Ireland’s neutrality and european security policy integration. Master of European Studies Theses. Münster: University of Twente. https://essay.utwente.nl/62218/1/Revised_Thesis_Patrick.pdf

32. Salmon, T.C. 1989. Unneutral Ireland: An Ambivalent and Unique Security Policy. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

33. Schwanberg, P. 2012. Ireland’s neutrality and european security policy integration.

34. The White Paper on Foreign Policy. 1996. Department of Foreign Relations of the Government of Ireland. URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20060522044916/http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/information/publications/whitepaper/default.asp

35. Wigell, M. 2019. Hybrid interference as a wedge strategy: a theory of external interference in liberal democracy Get access Arrow. International Affairs, 95(2), 255-275. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiz018

36. Williams, P. 2020. The Security Council’s peacekeeping trilemma. International Affairs. 96(2), 479-499. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiz199

Downloads


Abstract views: 21

Published

2025-07-20

How to Cite

Marusynets, M. (2025). Neutrality as the Basis of Statehood and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Ireland. Mediaforum : Analytics, Forecasts, Information Management, 16, 218-239. https://doi.org/10.31861/mediaforum.2025.16.218-239