Ulster Unionist raises Ireland's 'hypocrisy' at British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Tralee
The “very least” that the Republic of Ireland could do on defence is to offer to pay towards the United Kingdom’s heavily stretched defence forces, an Ulster Unionist MLA has said.
Steve Aiken raised the issue with UK and Irish ministers at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in in Tralee, Co Kerry, saying the “spectre of Ireland’s wide open sea, air and cyber space” pervaded discussions.
Speaking to the News Letter afterwards he also accused the British government of being “uncomfortable about standing up for British interests rather than placating the Irish establishment”.
Earlier this month, the Irish government signed a deal with London on the “enhancement of bilateral engagement” between the two countries on defence and security. That prompted questions about what Ireland’s contribution to the deal was.
The News Letter asked the Ministry of Defence (MoD) whether Dublin has committed to – or the UK asked for – payment for the protection provided; what Ireland has provided to the UK which covers the bill; and why the deal was agreed despite legal action being pursued by Ireland against the UK.
A spokesperson said both countries “face growing common threats” and the deal “will boost cooperation on areas critical to both our nations’ security, in particular to counter the growing undersea and cyber threats we share”.
Mr Aiken told the News Letter: “At this year’s British Irish Parliamentary Assembly at Tralee the security spectre of Ireland’s wide open sea, air and cyber space pervaded discussions... even the best efforts of [Dublin] officials couldn’t hide the very real security challenges of a aggressive Russia, Iranian cyber attacks, and a USA increasingly sceptical of Irish defence freeloading.
“In light of this it was disappointing to hear minister Jack Chambers TD recite the mantra about improved cooperation on security without any commitment to move closer to Nato,” he said.
Mr Aiken said NIO minister Matthew Patrick had responded “weakly” to a question he asked about legacy. “He did seem very uncomfortable about standing up for British interests rather than placating the Irish establishment,” he said.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman said: “Following extensive negotiations, the Government last year reached an unprecedented information sharing agreement with the Irish government.
"Sharing of information by the Irish authorities will be hugely important for Legacy Commission investigations and the Omagh bombing inquiry, and the Northern Ireland Secretary regularly discusses the progress of legislation with the Irish Government.
"The Troubles Bill will replace the last government's unilateral and flawed Legacy Act, which was widely rejected across Northern Ireland, including by all the main political parties, and did not result in reciprocal commitments”.