NEUTRALITY OF EIRE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 119, 4 March 1950, Page 5

NEUTRALITY OF EIRE

DEFENCE MINISTER’S SPEECH ’ ' > DUBLIN, March 3. The Eire Defence Minister (Dr. T. F. O’Higgins) said that in another world war the Irish Republic would be neutral. He was speaking in the Sen- , ate, which passed a temporary bill providing for Irish . Defence Forces. On the world ■ situation Dr. O’Higgins said: “If we weren’t neutral, there would be no question about the side we would be on, because of the religion of the majority of the people and their conception of man’s rights. However, we are a mutilated country and that situation must be faced.” Dr. O’Higgins warned the Irish people that in any future war they would have to rely upon their own efforts to defend their country. “We do not produce so much as a bullet or a rifle here. All the equipment we have comes from outside,” he said. “Britain has provided certain supplies, and it would be ungracious on our part, though this supply represents but a trickle, not to be thankful for it.” Dr. O’Higgins said the presence of British troops in Northern Ireland (which he described as “occupation of Irish national territory”) made it impossible for Eire to participate in European or Atlantic defence alliances or to ally herself with the United Kingdom.