Republican News · Thursday 20 February 2003

Let the people decide

Over 100,000 people marched through the streets of Dublin last weekend with a simple message for the Dublin government. They don't want a US-led war on Iraq. They don't want a military build up in the Gulf. Some are appalled at how the exercising of the political will of the United States can mean expending so much resources and money while committing so many human lives to this conflict, while at the same time cannot find the will to tackle world hunger, disease or even the simple act of debt cancellation.

In Ireland, the policy of the Fianna Fáil-led coalition has changed from day to day. Last week, the government could not answer the question of whether or not they would back US unilateral attacks on Iraq without a UN mandate. On Monday, they rowed in with other EU member states calling for more time for UN inspections in Iraq. Yesterday, Bertie Ahern changed tack again, calling for a second UN Security Council motion on weapons inspections. It shows that feet on the streets are having a positive effect.

Against this ever-changing backdrop, both in Ireland and internationally, Sinn Féin introduced its first bill into Leinster House. The Bill calls for a referendum on neutrality and would let 26-County voters decide policy on this issue for the first time.

The introduction of the Bill exposed the hypocrisy of establishment political parties in the 26 Counties who voted it down and showed clearly that Sinn Féin stands alone as a campaigning party, on the streets, in council chambers, in the Northern Assembly and this week in Leinster House.