The Lisbon Treaty and Neutrality

There's been so much talk about the Lisbon Treaty and what it will mean for Ireland. From Sinn Fein, to Libertas, the Greens, and the Taoiseach, everyone has an opinion and there are so many different interpretations of what the treaty really says.

What I'm most interested in, and from what I've heard my university-aged peers talking about, is Irish neutrality. I would like to know what the treaty means for our neutrality. The Common Defense and Security Policy is part of the Lisbon Treaty, but Ireland's membership in a common defense force would have to be ratified by another referendum right? So Lisbon won't undermine Irish neutrality because we won't be forced to send any troops anywhere without another vote of the population.

I think a lot of people are worried the Common Defense and Security Policy will force Irish troops abroad and force Ireland to take a stance on or become involved in places like Iraq. I really don't think this is true. Ireland has always been well-respected as a successful arbiter in external debates and conflicts. We send peace-keeping troops, something we could continue to do under the Lisbon Treaty and I don't see our reputation as a peaceful people tarnished by this treaty. The Lisbon Treaty won't greatly change the way the Irish define neutrality or how we interpret our role as a neutral nation. Am I right in assuming the Irish are ready for this referendum and ready to help European integration move forward while still maintaining our integrity as a neutral nation?

Sutherland on globalisation and development

Taking a break from the Lisbon Treaty, here's Peter Sutherland, speaking on the Millennium Development Goals in his introduction to Kandeh Yumkella, DG of UNIDO.