NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE An Conradh Ceilteach (the Irish branch of the Celtic League) was extremely active in relation to campaigning in support of the recent attempt to pass through the Dail an amendment which would have enshrined Neutrality in the Irish Constitution. See our earlier report here: (voir le site) Correspondence was sent by the branch to all TDs ahead of the debate and a copy of the letter is set out below. Please note all correspondence from the branch is sent in Irish (with an English translation in some instances). The English translation is set out below the original. ?An Conradh Ceilteach 33 Céide na Grianóige Ráth Cúil Co. Átha Cliaith A Chara Thar ceann An Chonraidh Cheiltigh (Craobh na hÉireann) iarraim ort go humhall tacaíocht a thabhairt do An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2013, the Thirty-Fourth Amendment to the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2013, atá le teacht os comhair na Dála ar 20ú de mhí Feabhra. Má achtaítear an bille seo, beidh Neodracht na hÉireann cumhdaithe inár mBunreacht. Creidimid go mba cheart don Stát dul sa tóir ar pholasaí eachtrach neamhspleách bunaithe ar fhorlámhas an dlí le haon choimhlint a réiteach trí mhodhanna síochánta agus nár cheart d?Óglaigh na hÉireann bheith nascaithe le haon tír a théann sa tóir ar chlár oibre míleata atá ionsaitheach go hoscailte. Tá meas an domhain ar fud na Cruinne d?Oglaigh na hÉireann de dheasca a gcuid ngníomhaíochtaí síochánaíochta do Na Náisiúin Aontaithe, go háirithe as a gcuid neodrachta, nach bhfuil ag stáit eile ar mhisin na NA. I dtráth bhreis deighilte idir an Oirthear agus an Iarthar ar cheisteanna ar nós na hÚcráine agus Críostuithe agus Muslamaigh ag tabhairt aghaidh ar a chéile, tá sé níos tábhachtaí ná riamh bheith neodrach sna coimhlintí seo le go gcinnteofar slándáil an stáit, chun nach mbéimid mar sprioc ionsaithe ag cumhachtaí eachtracha agus ag grúpaí sceimhlitheoireachta. De réir phobalbhreith a chuir Pana - Peace and Neutrality Alliance ? Comhaontas na Síochána Neodrachta i ngníomh sa bhliain 2013, léiríonn sé go smior go dtacaíonn formhór mhuintir na hÉireann leis an bpolasaí neodrachta. Tá súil againn go ndéanann ár n-ionaduithe freastal ar mhianta a dtoghthóirí agus tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bhille Neodrachta. Is mise, le meas, Cathal Ó Luain Cathaoirleach An Conradh Ceilteach An Conradh Ceilteach 33 Céide na Grianóige Ráth Cúil Co. Átha Cliaith A Chara On behalf of An Conradh Ceilteach (Celtic League Irish Branch) I would respectfully ask you to support An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2013, the Thirty-Fourth Amendment to the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2013, which is due to come before the Dáil on February 20th. If passed this Bill will ensure that Irish Neutrality will become enshrined in our Constitution. We believe that the State should pursue an independent foreign policy based on the rule of law to achieve peaceful means to resolve any conflict and that the Irish Defence Forces should not be linked with any nation which pursues an openly aggressive military agenda. The Irish Defence Forces have the utmost respect throughout the world due to their peacekeeping activities for the UN and in particular due to their neutrality, that other states do not have on UN missions. At a time of increasing polarisation between East and West on issues like Ukraine and Christian versus Muslim in the Middle East, it is more important than ever to remain neutral in these conflicts to ensure the security of the state, so that we ourselves are not targets for foreign powers and terrorist groups. A poll carried out by Pana - Peace and Neutrality Alliance ? Comhaontas na Siochana Neodrachta in 2013 clearly shows that the Irish people wholeheartedly support a policy of neutrality. We hope that our representatives will endorse their constituent?s wishes and give their support to the Neutrality Bill. Is mise, le meas, Cathal Ó Luain Chairman An Conradh Ceilteach? J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information Celtic League 10/03/15 (Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur) ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues Internet site at: (voir le site) (voir le site)
■