Paul Murphy Questions Irish Role at Rammstein Ukraine Defence Meeting
Paul Murphy asked whether the Irish government attended the fifth Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at the Rammstein US air base on 8 September and said he believes such attendance is part of a conscious drive toward militarisation. He opposed integration into a NATO alliance and demanded clear answers and a parliamentary debate on Ireland's participation.
Question over Irish attendance
Paul Murphy asked directly whether the Irish government was represented at the fifth Ukraine defence contact group meeting, which he said took place at the Rammstein US air base and NATO headquarters in Germany on 8 September.
Evidence cited
He pointed to images on the NATO website showing an Irish delegate at previous Ukraine contact defence group meetings and recalled that the US Secretary of Defence has described this as "our NATO alliance." He also noted reports that nearly 50 countries attended the fifth meeting.
Concerns about militarisation
Murphy said he does not believe the government's attendance is accidental and argued it is part of a conscious drive to integrate the state with a process of militarisation led by US imperialism. He stated his opposition to integration into a NATO alliance.
Demand for parliamentary scrutiny
He urged that the Dáil has a right to know whether the Irish government is participating in this military alliance and called for clear answers and a full debate on Ireland's participation and the implications for national policy.
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The government appears to be making a habit of attending NATO meetings and meetings of NATO allies and I do not believe that it is an accident at all, I think it is part of a conscious drive to integrate this country with a process of militarisation led by US imperialism. I want to ask again what I asked last week about whether the Irish government, the Irish state was represented at the fifth so-called Ukraine defence contact group meeting which happened in Germany a couple of weeks ago. When I asked about it you told me last week that you were quote not aware of the specific meeting in question and that you do not believe I am correct in my analysis that you are using the war in Ukraine to drive the militarisation of the world or NATO. So I want to ask again this is important was the Irish government represented at the Ukraine defence contract group meeting which took place at the Rammstein US air base also NATO headquarters in Germany on the 8th of September. There are images on the NATO website of the Irish delegate present at previous Ukraine contact defence group meeting and to reiterate the US Secretary of Defence has described this as our NATO alliance. It was also mentioned that there were nearly 50 countries present for this fifth meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group. I think I am opposed to it, I am opposed to this integration into a NATO alliance but I think at the very least this House has the right to know is the Irish government participating in this military alliance and we need to have clear answers about our participation and should really have a debate about it. I think the time is up, we need to move on. operate this language often. . . . . . . . . .
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