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Irish military 'product testing' condemned printable version
24 Jul 2015 filed by editor - General The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) today issued a strongly worded statement expressing deep concern about plans by Minister for Defence Simon Coveney to allow the international defence industry to have increased access to the Irish Defence Forces for ‘product testing’, as reported in the Irish Independent on 12 July.
The IAWM said: “This clearly represents the broadening of Ireland’s involvement in the reprehensible business of arms manufacturing. The independent article noted that the Irish Military has already been involved with US Company MOOG whose products are used in missiles, military and commercial aircraft, satellites and space vehicles and launch vehicles.
“While Minister Coveney is reported as saying that “the plans wouldn’t involve the testing of weapons like guns or rocket launchers” the IAWM stated that the problem with increased access to an already questionable collaboration is that it will inevitably involve the Irish Defence Forces in the development of militaristic products and systems that will have no use other than to kill and maim people.”
Glenda Cimino of the IAWM Steering Committee said: “They may sugarcoat this message all they want—call it ‘software technology’ etc.—but in the end it is still ‘neutral’ Ireland increasing its participation in the international war and weapons industry.”
The IAWM condemn in particular any involvement by the defence forces in the further development of drone technology.
“As everyone knows, the consequence of using drones is often the death of innocent men, women and children, as well as selected 'targets' who may or may not be guilty, but never get their day in court. We have seen the devastating effects of this policy over and over again in such countries as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Gaza,” said Jim Roche, PRO of the IAWM.
He continued: “This whole project smacks of the ever-increasing involvement of this Irish Government in the US-dominated global arms trade and the further erosion of Irish neutrality. It is also highly inappropriate that Enterprise Ireland should be involved in ventures with such clear militaristic links. Unless Minister Coveney can get a cast iron guarantee that none of the planned collaborations will lead to the development of new weaponry or the enhancement of existing ones, then any planned collaborations should be cancelled. It's time Ireland stood up for peace as befits our stated aim of neutrality and not be ensnared into the cycle of perpetual warfare spurred on by a nefarious and unaccountable, global industrial military complex.”
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